Vybz Kartel Released After 13 Years: Court Rules Against Retrial
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel, born Adidja Palmer, walked free from the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre on Wednesday evening after spending 13 years behind bars. This follows a ruling by the Jamaican Court of Appeal, which decided against retrying him and his co-accused, Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John, for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
The appeal to the UK-based Privy Council had resulted in their convictions being overturned in March 2024 due to juror misconduct. The case was then remitted to Jamaica’s Court of Appeal, which concluded that a retrial was unnecessary.
Entertainer Vybz Kartel is now a free man and back on the streets of Kingston. Moments ago he walked out of the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre and was met with shouts from fans. #AlwaysAhead #JamaicaObserver #OTeam #ONews #Jamaica #DailyObserver #VybzKartel pic.twitter.com/MFwsjY3sAo
— Jamaica Observer (@JamaicaObserver) July 31, 2024
Kartel’s release marks a significant moment for his career and the dancehall community, with fans and supporters celebrating the news. The artist’s girlfriend was present at the prison to greet him upon his release, a moment captured in a widely shared photograph.
As Vybz Kartel rejoins society, the nation reflects on the implications of this high-profile legal journey and the impact on Jamaica’s justice system. The dancehall community eagerly anticipates his return to music, expecting a resurgence in his influential career.
Stay tuned to Vision Newspaper – The Caribbean Update for more on Vybz Kartel’s release from prison.
Zhane Squire is Vision Newspaper’s dedicated Reggae Entertainment Correspondent, bringing readers the latest stories from Jamaica and across the global Afro-Caribbean diaspora. With a passion for music, culture, and storytelling, Squire highlights the voices, movements, and trends shaping reggae, dancehall, and Afro-Caribbean entertainment worldwide. His reporting connects Caribbean culture to the global stage, ensuring that artists, festivals, and community stories are told with depth, accuracy, and authenticity. For feedback you can reach him at zhane.squire@visionnewspaper.ca
