Dancehall King Vybz Kartel, from Jamaica, is being let out of prison following the overturning of his murder conviction in March.
Kartel, whose true name is Adidja Palmer, was given a life sentence in jail in 2014 for killing Clive “Lizard” Williams in 2011. Williams’s remains were never located. Following a successful appeal, Kartel’s sentence was reversed after he served 13 years in prison.
The Court of Appeal ruled today that there would be no retrial for Kartel and his co-defendants, Shawn “Storm” Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John. The guys are free, according to Judge Marva McDonald-Bishop, who also determined that no further trial is required.
Earlier this year, the Privy Council in London, which is Jamaica’s highest court of appeal, found that a juror had tried to bribe others and should have been removed from the trial. However, the Privy Council left the decision to release the men up to Jamaica’s Court of Appeal.
Vybz Kartel and His Friend (photo Credit X)
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Vybz Kartel is a famous artist in Jamaica and has collaborated with big names like Rihanna and Jay-Z. He is also known for his song “Pon De Floor,” which was sampled in Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls).”
In 2014, Kartel and his co-accused were given life sentences, with Kartel receiving 35 years. They have always claimed they are innocent.
Kartel used his vast song collection to release music and maintain his impact on the dancehall music scene while he was incarcerated. He once clarified that he had a ton of songs ready and that the harsh regulations prohibiting the use of internet and cell phones in jail made it impossible for him to record.