Vybz Kartel Released from Prison After Thirteen Years Behind Bars

Written By: Ekow Mensah Adjei

After 13 years behind bars, Jamaican dancehall artiste, Vybz Kartel has been released from prison on the 31st of July. The Jamaica Court of Appeal's decision not to retry Vybz Kartel for the murder of Clive Lizard Williams comes after the Privy Council in London overturned his conviction due to juror misconduct.

His defence team argued that a juror accused of trying to bribe others should have been thrown off his trial. The London court agreed with Kartel's case and ruled in March that the decision not to remove the juror made Kartel's conviction unsafe.

Concerns about the 48-year old, real name Adidja Palmer's health were a significant factor in the court's decision, highlighting the need for his release.

His trial in 2014 heard that the victim, Clive Williams and another man, Lamar Chow, were given two unlicensed firearms belonging to Kartel for safekeeping. When they failed to return them at an agreed time, prosecutors said they were summoned to Kartel's house in August 2011.

Chow told the trial they were attacked and the last thing he saw was Clive Williams who was never seen alive again lying motionless on the ground. The house burned down days later and his body has never been found.

Kartel and his co-accused Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John, have always maintained their innocence but were convicted and jailed for life, with Kartel told he would spend a minimum of 35 years in prison.

On Wednesday, Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, one of three judges sitting at Jamaica's Court of Appeal, said they had weighed up the "egregious nature and seriousness of the offence" against the passage of time, lack of access to witnesses and evidence and the huge expense of a retrial.

She also said that the SUMMER TIME hitmaker was in "declining health" and a new trial would have an impact on his physical and mental wellbeing. "We conclude that the interests of justice do not require a new trial," she said, adding that Kartel and his co-defendants were formally acquitted.

Vybz Kartel's appeal process was lengthy and complex, with the Privy Council ultimately deciding to send the case back to the Jamaica Court of Appeal. Which paved way for his release. 

Fans of Vybz Kartel are ecstatic about his release, taking to social media to express their joy and relief.

Vybz Kartel's release is expected to have a significant impact on the music industry, with many anticipating his return to the stage and studio.