Dancehall Star Vybz Kartel to be Freed From Prison, Will Not Face Retrial

Wednesday, the Jamaica Court of Appeal ordered the release of dancehall icon Vybz Kartel and his three co-defendants. This comes after a long legal battle over the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, whose body was never found. The unanimous decision by the court on Wednesday means that Kartel, along with Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John, will be freed after years of incarceration.

Scenes Down Town as the Vybz Kartel verdict spreads. pic.twitter.com/uyOvcVQvqo

— Daveon (@NugentDaveon) July 31, 2024

The court declared, “The appellants are freed,” concluding that a new trial would not serve the interest of justice. The court took into account the psychological and financial burdens a retrial would impose on the appellants, particularly highlighting Kartel’s severe medical conditions, including Graves’ Disease and heart issues, which have worsened during his time in prison.

Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, announcing the court’s decision, stated, “We conclude that the interest of justice does not require a new trial to be ordered for the appellants.”

Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, has been behind bars since 2011. The original 2014 trial was the longest in Jamaica’s history, lasting 64 days. Kartel and St. John were sentenced to serve a minimum of 35 and 30 years, respectively, while Campbell and Jones were sentenced to 25 years minimum. Throughout the proceedings, Kartel and his co-accused have consistently maintained their innocence.