The UK Privy Council send Vybz Kartel back to Jamaica

The UK-based Privy Council has decided to overturn the 2014 murder conviction of Vybz Kartel. The Law Lords have ordered Jamaica’s Court of Appeal to determine if the incarcerated dancehall star and his three co-convicts should be granted a retrial. The directions were issued on Thursday March 14, 2024 by the panel of five judges.

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has delineated the rationale behind their determination that the decision regarding the retirement of Adidja Palmer, also known as Vybz Kartel, for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams, should rest with Jamaica.

The Privy Council underscored that upon receiving information concerning the attempted bribery of a juror to deliver a verdict in Kartel’s favor, it was incumbent upon the presiding judge to address this matter forthwith such as to enquire into allegation of jury misconduct. Additionally, the privy court asserted that the trial judge departed from standard practice, putting undue pressure on the jurors to come to a verdict so late in the day and using telecommunication data that was acquired in breach of the communication act.

Furthermore, the Court acknowledged the formidable challenge of possibly annulling the verdict following an extenuated trial period, thereby highlighting that the Kartel trial set a record as the longest criminal trial in the annals of Jamaican jurisprudence. Despite the historic length of the trial, the United Kingdom-based Court contended that the judge should have rectified the issues presented and then such and infringement on the rights of the accused.

Vybz Kartel Conviction Voice Note that was presented as part of evidence in his trial