Kartel and co-accused to know fates by July 31

The Court of Appeal says it will hand down its ruling on whether dancehall star Vybz Kartel should be retried for murder by July 31.

"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," said lead judge Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop.

"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."

The defence and the prosecution closed their arguments today.

The hearing started on June 10.

Justice David Fraser and Paulette Williams are presiding with McDonald-Bishop.

Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, and his co-accused, Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John are charged with the 2011 murder of Clive Williams in 2011.

They were convicted in 2014.

The Jamaican Court of Appeal upheld the verdicts in 2020 but the Privy Council, the country's highest court, overturned them in March 2024 on grounds of juror misconduct.

The Privy Council did not free the men and sent the case back to the appeal court to determine whether there should be a retrial.

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