Kartel, co-convicts closer to Privy Council appeal

Vybz Kartel and his co-convicts are one step closer to getting their case heard in the Privy Council in the United Kingdom.

Bert Samuels, the lawyer for Shawn Storm, one of Kartel's co-convicts, confirmed to THE STAR last night that an official application has been made in the case.

"An application has been filed on behalf of all four appellants to get leave to go to the Privy Council with the matter. It will be heard via video link during the week of June 29," Samuels said.

Kartel, Shawn Storm, Kahira Jones and Andre St John are serving mandatory life sentences for the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams.

They appealed their sentences and convictions in July 2018, however, their appeals were dismissed by the court in Jamaica two months ago.

Seek permission

The legal teams for all four men took the decision to take the matter to the Privy Council. Samuels had explained at the time that they would have to seek permission from the court in Jamaica in order to take the case overseas, but, if for some reason permission was not granted, they could approach the Privy Council directly.

"The Privy Council has now provided for us to have live streaming by the attorneys in Jamaica and we can do it by video link to the Privy Council. It has substantially reduced the cost of appearing in the Privy Council. So we may be opting to have live-streaming of this appeal to the Privy Council where we will be at a location in Jamaica and we are addressing the Privy Council," Samuels said.