UK authorities have instructed the Jamaican government to cover Vybz Kartel’s legal expenses following his successful appeal against a murder conviction.
Vybz Kartel, born Adidja Azim Palmer, received a life sentence in 2014 for his role in the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, and has been locked up in Jamaica since his arrest in 2011.
In 2021, Vybz Kartel’s lawyer, Isat Buchanan, appealed his conviction at the Privy Council in the UK citing new evidence, and the Jamaican government was instructed to cover the legal expenses for Kartel and three other defendants found guilty in the murder case.
“His Majesty was pleased by and with the advice of His Privy Council to approve the report and to order that those charged with administering the Government of Jamaica and all others whom it may concern are to ensure that it is punctually observed and obeyed,” the order, dated April 10, 2024, and signed by a clerk of the Privy Council, stated.
The order also highlighted four points, stating that the “appeal should be allowed” and the “Appellants’ convictions should be quashed on the ground of juror misconduct.”
“The case should be remitted to the Court of Appeal to decide whether to order a re-trial as soon as reasonably practicable,” the third point stated. “The Respondent should pay the Appellants’ costs, the amount of those costs to be assessed if not agreed,” the fourth point stated.
The March ruling by the Privy Council means the local Court of Appeal will once again hear the murder case. The Court of Appeal is expected to convene on June 10 to determine if the case should be retried or whether She Holding Onsinger and his co-defendants should be released.
Source: Bestsjobs.com
