After serving 13 years in prison, Vybz Kartel, the famous Jamaican dancehall legend, has been set free.
He was found not guilty last week after a successful appeal from being found guilty of murder in 2014. Kartel and his co-defendants Shawn Storm Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John were all released by the court after it opted against a fresh trial by Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop and two other judges who set with her on the council bench at the Privy Council in London, which is Jamaica’s highest court of appeal. The case centered around the unsolved murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams in 2011.
Vybz Kartel on X
Despite maintaining his innocence, Kartel continued to produce music while in prison. His influence on the dancehall genre and global music is undeniable, as he maintained hit after hit. Now 48, he is still one of the most influential Caribbean musicians who has made collaborations with international superstars like Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Rihanna, among others.
On his X platform @Vbz_Official he posted, ” Badmind how yuh feel?”
He is seen riding home to freedom in a luxury car holding a bottle of bubbles with his partner Sidem Ozturring who keeps showering him with kisses on a video that is also appearing on X.
Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop the judge who released Vybz Kartel
His fans are posting and praising the judges who came up with the ruling to release Vybz Kartel and the three other co-accused among them his long time rival and dancehall superstar Mavado.
The decision to release Kartel has already caused a celebratory atmosphere worldwide. Millions of his fans are showing their joy virtually on the internet, and everyone will already be looking forward to sold-out live shows globally and fresh releases.
Vybz Kartel with a friend after his release image credit X
