Fans Celebrate Vybz Kartel’s Release From Prison
Key takeaways
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- Top Jamaican musician Vybz Kartel had been imprisoned in 2011 for murder.
- The de facto king of dancehall music released several of his greatest hits while in prison.
- Kartel was finally released from his 13-year-long custody by a Jamaican court, much to the delight of his fans.
- Dancehall fans around the world have flocked to social media to celebrate his release, eagerly anticipating his first concert since leaving prison.
Also read: Vybz Kartel celebrates birthday, exudes hope in murder appeal
Vybz Kartel’s lengthy murder trial
Vybz Kartel (real name Adidja Palmer) and several associates were arrested in 2011 in connection with the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
Clive Williams who was Vybz Kartel’s friend, was murdered in a dispute involving a firearm, which was reportedly leased to Williams by Kartel and his associates.
Although Clive William’s body has never been found, Vybz Kartel, Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John were convicted of the murder in 2014.
Jamaican police who raided Kartel’s residence found compelling evidence of his involvement in the murder.
The prosecution also provided forensic evidence in court that was reportedly collected from a site believed to be Clive Williams’ grave.
Four months after his arrest, Kartel and his associates were formally charged with murder.
The trial began in March 2012, culminating in a life sentence for Kartel in April 2014.
Vybz Kartel was sent to prison for a minimum of 35 years before being considered for parole.
Vybz Kartel battles against his life sentence
After his damning sentence in 2012, Kartel’s legal team swung into action to reverse the conviction.
The legal team filed an appeal against his conviction in 2015, citing unfair conduct of the jury during the trial.
According to the Kartel legal defense team, some of the individuals who participated in the jury duty were influenced in their verdicts.
This compromised the integrity of the murder trial, in which accused persons should be proven to have committed the crime beyond reasonable doubt.
The Jamaican Court of Appeal rejected the appeal, which led the legal team to the Britain-based Privy Council, the highest court of appeal for Jamaica.
Palmer’s appeal was upheld and the Privy Council ordered a retrial at the Jamaican Court of Appeal.
Jubilation among dancehall fans after Vybz Kartel’s release
Kartel’s trial back in Jamaica was conducted in a heavily guarded courtroom in downtown Kingston.
His retrial led to an emphatic victory for the Jamaican crooner who had maintained his innocence over the years.
The three-judge bench led by Marva McDonald-Bishop acquitted Kartel and his three co-accused; Shawn Storm Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John.
Announcing his release, Judge McDonald-Bishop said:
“We conclude that the interest of justice does not require a new trial to be ordered for the appellants. We, therefore, make the following order: judgments and verdicts of acquittal are entered concerning the appellants. That is it. The appellants are free”
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A jubilant Vybz Kartel then walked out of the Tower Street Adult Correctional Facility with his hands raised and uncuffed.
He then posted a short video on his Instagram page captioned “Me and Wifey.. #AMOUT”
Fans joined him and his girlfriend to celebrate the star, with his fellow artist PopCaan also saluting the dancehall legend.
“13 years a fight and win that Bomboclaat! World Boss!!” Wrote PopCaan on X.
Overjoyed followers have even pledged to sell their homes to attend his first concert out of jail.
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