Jamaican dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel has had his murder conviction overturned.
His vindication comes after a complicated court battle. The 48-year-old artist, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, emerged victorious when the Privy Council in London ruled in his favor. They contended that a juror who allegedly tried to bribe others by offering JMD $500,000 for a specific outcome in the case should have been removed from the trial.
Kartel was accused of arranging the murder of associate Clive “Lizard” Williams. The prosecution claimed that Williams was lured to Kartel’s home in August 2011, where he was attacked and killed over missing guns. Allegedly, Kartel attacked Williams with the help of Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John. The man’s disappearance sparked an investigation, which pointed authorities to the singer and his co-conspirators. However, Williams’ body was never recovered and is believed to have been cremated. Kartel and the other men were sentenced to life, with the performer being eligible for parole after 35 years. In 2020, his appeal was rejected, and he remained jailed in Jamaica.
The Privy Council has now referred the case back to the Court of Appeal in Jamaica to determine whether Kartel and his co-defendants should face a new trial.
Despite his conviction, Kartel has remained one of Jamaica’s most adored musicians, with well-known singles such as “Real Bad Man” and “Romping Shop.” The artist has long maintained his innocence, with much of the conviction depending on circumstantial evidence.
