Jamaica’s dancehall music scene was rocked once again when 48-year-old artist Vybz Kartel was freed after serving more than 13 years in prison for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
Kartel, whose real name is Adiyah Palmer, was sentenced to life in prison in 2014 with a minimum sentence of 35 years, but the UK Supreme Court overturned the verdict in March, finding the trial was unfair.
The case began in 2011, when Williams and another man disappeared after being summoned to Kartel’s home. Prosecutors claimed the two were assaulted because they failed to return a gun they had left with Kartel by the deadline.
Although Williams’ body was never found and Kartel has consistently maintained his innocence, a lower court found him guilty of murder.
However, Kartel’s defense team appealed to the UK Supreme Court, which serves as the highest court of appeal for Jamaica and the Commonwealth, alleging that a jury was bribed during the trial.
The Supreme Court agreed with the argument and ruled that the failure to remove the juror from the trial rendered the verdict unreliable, ordering a retrial by the Jamaican Court of Appeals.
On Wednesday, the Jamaican Court of Appeals ruled not to allow a retrial, meaning Cartel could soon be released.
Cartel’s release has been a source of joy for fans around the world, especially in Jamaica, where he has a loyal fan base and is regarded as one of the most influential dancehall artists.
However, the case remains a hotly debated topic, particularly regarding issues of justice and due process.
