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Vybz Kartel Freed After Appeals Court Declines to Retry Murder Charges

Dancehall star spent a decade in jail after he was discovered responsible in 2014 of killing Clive “Lizard” Williams, a verdict that was overturned earlier this 12 months

A Jamaican court docket of appeals declined Wednesday to retry Vybz Kartel after the dancehall star’s 2014 homicide conviction was overturned earlier this 12 months, making Kartel a free man after a decade in jail.

In March, the United Kingdom-based Privy Council overturned the conviction in opposition to Kartel — who in 2014 was discovered responsible within the homicide of Clive “Lizard” Williams — discovering proof of juror misconduct in Kartel’s preliminary trial.

Nonetheless, the Privy Council left it to a three-person court docket of appeals in Jamaica to finally determine whether or not to retry the homicide case in opposition to Kartel and his co-defendants, or let all of them free. On Wednesday, the Court docket of Enchantment opted for the latter, writing within the choice, “The pursuits of justice don’t require a brand new trial to be ordered,” the Jamaica Observer reviews.

The preliminary trial in opposition to Kartel and three co-defendants went on for simply over two months earlier than the 4 males have been convicted on March 14, 2014. Prosecutors argued that Williams was killed over lacking weapons, and that Kartel had lured Williams to his residence earlier than Williams was crushed to loss of life.

On the time, Jamaican police claimed in testimony that they noticed a textual content on Kartel’s cellphone stating that Williams’ physique was turned to “mincemeat.” Williams’ physique was by no means discovered. 

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Throughout the homicide trial, one juror was accused of providing bribes to different jurors, and after the court docket grew to become conscious of that allegation, the decide selected to proceed the trial as an alternative of dismissing. Potential juror misconduct grew to become the point of interest of Kartel’s argument in his years-long appeals course of.

Kartel was one of many largest artists in Jamaica on the time of his conviction, and he had collaborated with artists together with Rihanna, Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, and Pitbull amongst others. He continued to launch music whereas behind bars, together with the 2016 single “Fever.”

Dancehall star to be released after years behind bars

In a unanimous resolution Wednesday, the courtroom determined in opposition to a retrial within the homicide of Clive “Lizard” Williams, whose physique was by no means discovered. 

The gorgeous resolution implies that Vybz Kartel, Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John will probably be launched after years behind bars.

The courtroom mentioned Wednesday, that there was enough proof to counsel that Kartel wouldn’t have the ability to full a probably longer sentence if there have been to be a retrial.

Vybz Kartel throughout HOT 97’s “On The Reggae Tip” Dwell – September 2, 2005 at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York Metropolis, New York. (Picture by John Ricard/FilmMagic)

“His neck was swollen, should you consider a shirt that’s about 18.5 inches within the neck space, you could not shut the collar on his neck and that is how unhealthy it’s on this second,” his protection described to FOX 5. “His face is definitely swollen. And one different factor. He at all times wears glasses; on this situation, that causes his eyes to protrude.”

Why was Vybz Kartel in jail?

What’s Subsequent for Vybz Kartel – STREET SOLDIERS

After many months of authorized maneuvers and strikes behind bars, a future exterior of jail is now a chance for worldwide dancehall star Vybz Kartel. However there’s nonetheless one other hurdle to beat.

The conviction got here from a largely circumstantial case based mostly on video and telephone data from his BlackBerry Torch and a discredited witness.

Kartel’s conviction was quashed this spring, and the British Privy Council gave the Jamaican courtroom the prospect to determine on a retrial or outright acquittal, that means there could be no additional prosecution. 

Legal professionals representing the defendants made an enchantment again in 2020, however the convictions had been upheld.

Regardless of the large win, their combat for freedom has hung within the steadiness. The Privy Council, in impact, kicked the case again to the Jamaican Courtroom of Appeals to make the final word resolution.