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Vybz Kartel Freed On Emancipation's Eve! A Historic Legal Turn!
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In a dramatic and historic legal development, dancehall icon Adidja Azim Palmer, popularly known as Vybz Kartel, and his three co-accused were freed following a landmark decision by the Jamaican Court of Appeal. The ruling, delivered on July 31, 2024, just one day before Emancipation Day here in Jamaica, has reverberated through the legal and cultural landscape of the nation.
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The case, which began in September 2011, saw Kartel and his associates convicted in March 2014 for the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams. After being sentenced to life imprisonment, the accused challenged their convictions in the Jamaican Court of Appeal. When this challenge failed, the case was escalated to the UK's Privy Council.
In March 2024, the Privy Council overturned the convictions, citing juror misconduct, specifically involving Livingston Cain, a juror who was found guilty of accepting a bribe. The Privy Council's ruling sent the matter back to the Court of Appeal to determine if a retrial was warranted.
After six days of intense oral arguments in June 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled against a retrial. This pivotal decision came just a day before Emancipation Day, a significant date that commemorates Jamaica's liberation from slavery and highlights themes of freedom and justice.
The prosecution, led by Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson, had vigorously argued for a retrial, stressing that procedural errors and pretrial publicity should not overshadow the fundamental principles of justice and fair trial.
But despite these arguments, the Court of Appeal's decision to release the accused has marked a historic moment in Jamaican legal history.
For Vybz Kartel, this decision represents a dramatic shift, potentially allowing him to return to his career and life outside of prison.
For many members of the Waterford community, aka Gaza, there is no better celebration of Emancipation Day💃!
The release of Kartel and his co-accused not only reshapes the narrative of this high-profile case but also stands as a testament to the evolving nature of justice in Jamaica.
Comments & Feedback On Vybz Kartel Freedom
The following 👇 were early comments on X (Formerly Twitter) after the announcement!
- @CVMTV | Celebration continues in the streets of Downtown, Kingston as jubilant fans of Dancehall superstar, Vybz Kartel, revel in verdict that has set the artiste and his co-accused free.Nationwide90FM
- @NationwideRadio | Residents of Vybz Kartel's home town in Waterford, St Catherine are celebrating news that the dancehall entertainer and his co-accused were freed by the Court of Appeal in downtown Kingston today.
- @JamaicaGleaner | A limousine has arrived in the vicinity of the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in downtown Kingston, in anticipation of the departure of entertainer Vybz Kartel. The 48-year-old was acquitted of a murder charge today. He has been in custody for 13 years. #GLNRToday
- @nojumper |Vybz Kartel will be released from prison following a unanimous decision by Jamaica's Court of Appeal, which cited insufficient evidence for a retrial and concerns over Kartel's health and the impact on the appellants
- @RollingStone | Vybz Kartel Freed After Appeals Court Declines to Retry Murder Charges . The dancehall star spent a decade in prison after he was found guilty in 2014 of killing Clive "Lizard" Williams, a verdict that was overturned earlier this year.
- @SwaeLee | Vybz Kartel free streets a blaze !!!!✊🏽 🏆 🎶
- @BlacVolta | Bashment and Dancehall parties all though summer as Vybez Kartel gains his freedom !!
- @edgarobare | Jamaican music sensation Vybz Kartel has been set free after spending years in prison for alleged murder.
- @JamaicaGleaner | Police have blocked access roads leading to the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in downtown Kingston where dancehall entertainer Adidja ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer is awaiting his release after spending almost 13 years in prison for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.
- @DailyLoud | Vybez Kartel is free
- @ntvkenya | Jamaica’s Court of Appeal frees Dancehall star Vybz Kartel, who has been in prison since 2011
What are YOUR thoughts on this landmark decision though, share it with us here👇
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References & Sources For Vybz Kartel Freed
-
"Kartel Now a Free Man." Jamaica Gleaner, 31 July 2024, https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20240731/kartel-now-free-man.
- Cassandra. "Vybz Kartel Is Freed After Court Declines To Retry His Murder Charges." The Shade Room, 31 July 2024, https://theshaderoom.com/vybz-kartel-court-declines-to-retry-case-freed-from-prison/.
- Mc Burnie, Gregory. "Vybz Kartel Freed After 13 Years in Prison." Newsday, 31 July 2024, https://newsday.co.tt/2024/07/31/vybz-kartel-freed-after-13-years-in-prison/.
- Shivonne, Adeja. "Vybz Kartel Free: Dancehall Star to Be Released After Years Behind Bars." Fox 5 NY, 31 July 2024, 4:24 p.m. EDT, https://www.fox5ny.com/news/vybz-kartel-appeal-release-news-update-court.
- Kreps, Daniel. "Vybz Kartel Freed After Appeals Court Declines to Retry Murder Charges." Rolling Stone, 31 July 2024, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/vybz-kartel-freed-no-retrial-1235071898/.
- "Jubilation in Vybz Kartel’s ‘Gaza’ After Entertainer Freed." Jamaica Observer, 31 July 2024, https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/07/31/watch-jubilation-vybz-kartels-gaza-entertainer-freed.
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