The retrial hearing for Dancehall luminary Vybz Kartel has been slated for June, as reported by DancehallMag. The Jamaica Court of Appeal has fixed the date for June 10th. This pivotal legal proceeding will determine whether the incarcerated artist will be freed or subjected to a retrial concerning the 2014 murder case involving Clive “Lizard” Williams.
Not only Kartel but also his three co-accused—Shawn Campbell, known as Dancehall artist Shawn Storm, Kahira Jones, and André St John—await the verdict of this hearing. Justice Marva McDonald Bishop has stipulated deadlines for the submission of legal arguments, with May 6th set for the four men and May 31st for the prosecution. The hearing is anticipated to span five days.
Earlier in March, the highest UK court overturned the murder convictions of Kartel, Campbell, Jones, and St John. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, in a unanimous decision, cited juror misconduct as grounds for quashing the convictions. This revelation stemmed from an allegation during the trial that a juror had purportedly attempted to sway others by offering a monetary incentive. Despite this revelation, the trial proceeded without the jury being discharged.
The Privy Council also highlighted potential coercion on the jury due to the late conclusion of the judge’s summing up on March 13, 2014. This decision to annul the convictions signifies a significant legal development, as all five judges concurred on overturning the men’s murder convictions.
Despite being incarcerated for almost a decade, Vybz Kartel continues to wield considerable influence in Jamaica’s music scene, earning him the moniker ‘King of the Dancehall.’ His impact transcends music, extending to successful ventures in footwear, contraceptives, and alcoholic beverages. Kartel’s popularity also led to him becoming the first dancehall artist to headline his own reality TV show.
The trial, spanning 65 days, remains the lengthiest in Jamaica’s legal history, capturing widespread attention both domestically and internationally.
Source: voice-online.co.uk
