Vybz Kartel freed after years behind bars

Following years in prison, Vybz Kartel, Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John will all be released as a result of the shocking ruling. "We conclude that the interest of justice does not require a new trial to be ordered," the judge stated.

The Court of Appeal heard lengthy legal arguments from the prosecution and defense over the course of six days in June.

Isat Buchanan, the defense attorney, contended that in order to shield Vybz Kartel and his three co-accused from additional constitutional violations, an acquittal is required. "The uncertainty of sustaining or continuing the breach elevates the breach," Buchanan argued, arguing that the prosecution has not addressed how they will minimize these breaches.

Claudette Thompson, the acting director of public prosecutions, countered that Vybz Kartel and his co-accused should not be spared punishment due to a legal technicality. Thompson claimed that a retrial is warranted due to the gravity of the offense, the strength of the case, the public interest, and the availability of witnesses. 

The court declared on Wednesday that there was enough evidence to infer that, in the event of a retrial, Kartel would not be able to serve out the entirety of a potentially longer term.

Regarding Kartel's health, the court mentioned the "psychological and financial effects that it would have on the appellants." The harsh lockdown circumstances he's been facing since 2011 have been mentioned in his defense.

According to their description, his holding resembles a brick cell without any water or air flow, and it has a pail for a toilet. "His neck was swollen, if you think of a shirt that is about 18.5 inches in the neck area, you couldn't close the collar on his neck and that's how bad it is in this moment." 

In reality, his face is bloated. And one more item. He wears spectacles all the time, which makes his eyes protrude in this position."

A sworn medical affidavit from Kartel's private physician informed authorities in 2023 that the severity of his heart disease and Graves' Disease was increasing and that, if surgery was not received soon, the situation could become fatal.

The 48-year-old artist was convicted in 2011 of the murder of Clive "Lizard" Williams, whose body was never discovered. He was given a life sentence in 2014, but an effective appeal has finally resulted in his release from prison after 13 years. In a unanimous ruling today, the Court of Appeal decided not to hold a new trial for Kartel and his co-accused Shawn "Storm" Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John.

Even though the convictions were reversed, the Privy Council decided to send the case to the Court of Appeal rather than release the men.

Real name Adidja Palmer, the musician has collaborated with Jay-Z and Rihanna among other well-known musicians from the Caribbean island.

According to reports, Kartel has been fighting Graves' Disease for the most of his incarceration, under circumstances his lawyer describes as "inhumane." In 2020, the defendants' attorneys filed an appeal, but the convictions were upheld. In 2024, the case was brought before Jamaica's ultimate appellate court, the Privy Council in the United Kingdom, which reversed the convictions on the grounds of juror misconduct.

The performer, also known by the stage names Worl' Boss and Di Teacha, is recognized as one of Drake's "biggest inspirations" and has continued to transform the dancehall genre by putting out music while incarcerated.

Five years after his release from prison, Kartel told Rolling Stone in an interview conducted through his attorney that he wasn't actually recording while he was incarcerated because he had a large back library of songs. "I have a lot of extra material to choose from because I'm a prolific songwriter and I record at a very fast pace," Kartel remarked.

In a poetic twist, this occurs the day before Jamaican Emancipation Day, the start of a week-long celebration that ends on Jamaican Independence Day each year. His initial performance and future collaborations with well-known artists who have been advocating for his release for years will undoubtedly be sights to behold.