Suspended Isat to miss out on Vybz Kartel appeal

When incarcerated dancehall artiste Adidja 'Vybz Kartel' Palmer has his case heard before the UK-based Privy Council in 2024, one of his attorneys, Isat Buchanan, will have to watch from the sidelines. 

Buchanan was on Tuesday handed a two-year suspension by a disciplinary panel of the General Legal Council (GLC) after he was found guilty of professional misconduct. 

His charges stem for offensive comments he directed at Jamaica’s chief prosecutor, Paula Llewellyn, while co-hosting a programme with controversial social media personality, Andre Stephens. 

It is reported the attorney quoted lyrics of the song 'The Menace' by his client Palmer, in which he directed that Llewellyn perform a sexual act.

The comment set off a firestorm of criticisms, triggering Buchanan’s resignation from several positions he held at the time. A complaint to the disciplinary committee of the GLC by its Chairman, Denise Kitson, was also filed. 

In documents seen by The STAR, Kitson indicated that her complaint was based on the profane language used by Buchanan, and that his conduct constituted a breach of canons I(b) and VIII(b) of the Legal Profession (Canon of Professional Ethics) Rules.

 According to her complaint, it was conduct that failed to maintain the honour and dignity of the legal profession and which “tend to discredit the profession and is unbecoming of a lawyer”.

When brought before the council, Buchanan pleaded guilty. 

King’s Counsel Valeria Neita-Robertson, who represented Buchanan, said he did the right thing by owning his mistakes. 

“ He did the right and honourable thing, he took responsibility for the comments that were made, remember he apologised before that and he apologised again. All that was left was for the panel to sentence him,” she said.

“ He loves the law, and to be absent for any time is not something he is happy with, but he will survive,” Neita-Robertson added.

In his response, Buchanan admitted to being "worried" about this clients.  

“...I will be taking steps to inform them. I am sad that I won’t be able to represent my clients. God and time,” he said. 

Arguably Buchanan’s most well-known client, 'Vybz Kartel', is set to have his murder conviction appeal heard in the United Kingdom on February 14 and 15, next year.

 In 2014, Kartel was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his associate Clive 'Lizard' Williams. He will be eligible for parole once he has served a minimum of 35 years in prison.

Kartel’s co-convicts Shawn‘ Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John will also have their matter heard in the Privy Council.

However,  Buchanan’s suspension will not impact the appeal, as there are a total of 16 lawyers appearing for the quartet.

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