Jamaican Singer, Vybz Kartel Regains Freedom After 12 Years in Jail

Jamaican dancehall star Adidja Palmer, better known as Vybz Kartel, has been released from prison after serving 12 years of a life sentence.

Kartel, along with Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Andre St John, and Kahira Jones, was originally convicted in 2014 for the 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

The Privy Council overturned the convictions in March 2024 due to juror misconduct, leading to an appeal about whether a retrial should be held. On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal of Jamaica decided against a retrial, bringing an end to nearly 13 years of legal battles.

Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, the newly appointed President of the Court of Appeal, led the panel that delivered the anticipated ruling.

While Kartel, Campbell, and St John are now free, Jones remains in custody due to a separate sentence. Vybz Kartel marked his release by posting a video on X with his wife, captioned: “Am out! Me and wifey.”

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