Vybz Kartel to taste sweet freedom as murder conviction overturned.

Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel’s conviction for murder has been overturned.

Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was sentenced to life in prison in 2014 for the killing of Clive “Lizard” Williams on a Caribbean island.

However, his conviction was successfully appealed to the Privy Council in London on the grounds that a juror accused of attempting to bribe others should have been removed from the trial. 

The Council ruled that allowing this juror to remain compromised the fairness of the trial and thus the safety of the convictions. 

As a result, Jamaican authorities will decide whether to retry the case.

During the trial, it was alleged that Kartel and his co-accused provided unlicensed firearms to Clive Williams and another man for safekeeping. 

When the firearms weren’t returned as agreed, the victims were summoned to Kartel’s house where they were attacked. 

Williams was never seen alive again, and his body was never recovered as the house was burned down days later. 

Kartel and his co-accused had maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings.

In addition to the bribery issue, Kartel’s defence also raised concerns about undue pressure on jurors to reach a verdict and the admissibility of certain evidence, such as mobile phone records. 

While these matters were not addressed by the Privy Council, the seriousness of the bribery allegations alone was deemed sufficient to overturn the guilty verdicts.

Vybz Kartel is renowned worldwide for his contributions to dancehall music, with hits like “Clarks,” “Ramping Shop,” and “Summer Time.” 

His success extended beyond music, as he ventured into various business ventures, including shoes, alcohol, and condoms. 

Additionally, he made history as the first dancehall artist to star in his own reality TV show, “Teacha’s Pet.”

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