Jamaican Dancehall icon Vybz Kartel has been released from prison after serving 13 years of a life sentence. Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was originally sentenced in March 2014 for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.
This March, the Court of Appeal overturned the convictions due to juror misconduct. The ruling cleared the way for Kartel and his co-accused – Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John – to be freed.
Earlier this afternoon, Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop announced that Kartel and his co-defendants will not face a retrial. “Having regard to all considerations the court has taken into account, we conclude that the interest of justice do not require a new trial to be ordered for the appellants,” she stated.
“We therefore make the following order: judgments and verdicts of acquittal are entered in relation to the appellants,” she added.
The timing of Kartel’s release is particularly notable, coming just a day before Jamaican Emancipation Day, which marks the beginning of a week-long celebration leading up to Jamaican Independence Day.
Fans and supporters are eagerly anticipating Kartel’s return to the music scene. His first performance or collaborations with prominent artists who have advocated for his release will be closely watched.
