‘Gaza’ overjoyed as Kartel’s appeal upheld - Look forward to seeing entertainer back on the block

Though few in numbers, the cheers of supporters of Vybz Kartel on the 'Gaza strip' in Waterford, Portmore, St Catherine, were as explosive as that of a packed stadium once it was announced that his murder conviction was quashed on Thursday.

The sentences of the incarcerated entertainer and his co-accused were quashed by the UK Privy Council, a month after their attorneys presented their case. Residents had an air of expectation that they will be chilling with Vybz Kartel on the block soon. Between chants of 'God a God', a woman who gave her name as Gaza Michelle said her dream came through.

"Mi madda Miss Lucky dead about four years now and she dream mi and tell mi say mi must go look for him and tell him say him ago free because him is a good man and ano likkle bit him do fi di people dem in ya," she said. She burst into tears before stating that Vybz Kartel paid her daughter's school fee multiple times.

"Him is wonderful to the community. He is so good and not because dem lock him up for what him don't know of, but God is able. Him pay mi daughter school fee three times and him buy laptop for other schools in Portmore. He is so amazing and God is in the vessel and Kartel smiled at the storm," she said.

Vybz Kartel, along with fellow entertainer Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John were convicted in 2014 for killing Clive 'Lizard' Williams in 2011 and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the Privy Council said in its judgment that the men's convictions should be quashed on the ground of juror misconduct. The case is to be sent back to Jamaica's Court of Appeal for a ruling on whether they should be retried.

A jubilant resident told THE WEEKEND STAR that Thursday's outcome will only benefit the country.

"Unno a go see how country run because hungry days over. Everything a go nice ya now and a now Clarks a go start wear back hard. All later, yuh a go see the man dem Clarks out and bare music a go play because a the happiest time a my life. Mi did feel hungry but mi belly full," the diehard fan said.

So elated at the outcome, Rohan, owner of popular footwear store Drop Top Swag, was feeling benevolent.

"Freedom time suh mi definitely a go give away some Clarks because a Kartel say Clarks. Discounts a go gwan too because from the don free, tings haffi go give away free," he said.

Minutes before the results were announced, a man who identified himself as Cutty, one of Vybz Kartel's mentors, said justice had prevailed. He stated that prior to the deejay being imprisoned, he had plans of building a library for the community, and he believes he will carry through.

Except for the less than dozen persons who came to celebrate, the community appeared normal. Police officers patrolled the area and those persons inside their yards carried out their usual chores. One man told THE WEEKEND STAR that although the people were grateful for the outcome, gone are the days when the street would be filled with excitement.

"Nuh excitement nah go gwan over here although everybody happy fi what happen. Waterford turn residential area now because a bare working class people deh here. Suh yuh nah go see nuh excitement. The killa dem dead and gone and others run way. A one Worl' Boss same way though," he said.