Kartel to know fate tomorrow

The long-awaited verdict in the murder case involving dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel will be handed down tomorrow.

The Court Administration Division revealed yesterday that the ruling will be handed down at 2 p.m. The Jamaica Court of Appeal will decide if Kartel and his three co-accused will be retried for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams or if they will be released. The four men were initially found guilty in 2014 for the 2011 murder. But in March of this year, the Privy Council, Jamaica’s highest court, overturned the conviction on the grounds of ‘juror misconduct’. However, the case was directed back to the Jamaica Court of Appeal to determine whether there should be a retrial. Kartel, given name Adidja Palmer, is charged along with Kahira Jones, Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell and Andre St John. Kartel’s attorney, Isat Buchanan, has declined to comment on the matter.

In a ruling at the Jamaica Court of Appeal in June, lead judge Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop said it would take some time for judges to reach a final decision if a retrial is to be considered.

“The question of a retrial is never easy for a court of law, especially when [it involves] serious offences and lengthy delays. It’s gonna take us time but the court is mindful of the need for expedition in this matter,” she said.

“The court’s judgment is reserved. Given the importance of the case, even if we reach a decision, we cannot come back to just give our decision without our reasons for the decision. And, that is where the delay usually comes from. But, we’re mindful of all the issues and especially the health issue of one of the appellants. So, we’ll do our best and we can say we aim for no later than the end of the term.” Barring further delay, the term will end on Wednesday, July 31.

On June 14, during the five day-long court hearing, Justice McDonald-Bishop shared that the Supreme Court’s diary is booked with cases scheduled for trial by jury extending up to 2026. However, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Claudette Thompson, indicated that if there is a retrial, the deejay and his co-accused would not be able to acquire a court date until 2025.

In that breath, McDonald-Bishop also pointed out that two cases that have been resent to the Supreme Court for a retrial are still sitting in the court system for six years, without a possible date assigned for the proceedings to begin. The learned judge reiterated that the dates in the court’s diary for trial by judge alone are currently at late 2025 while for trial by jury are currently at late 2026.