The Court of Appeal has rejected arguments from Vybz Kartel’s family, asserting that the renowned entertainer is too ill to endure a retrial.
These arguments were presented in an affidavit filed by Kartel’s son, Likkle Vybz, whose real name is Adidja Jahiem Palmer. The affidavit claimed that Kartel’s health is failing and that his imprisonment has severely impacted the family.
According to a report by Nationwide 90 FM Likkle Vybz noted that Kartel’s mother, Theresa Wilson Palmer, prays nightly for her son’s well-being. However, Justice McDonald Bishop dismissed this as hearsay, pointing out that Likkle Vybz couldn’t verify his presence every night to witness the prayers.
The court also dismissed the assertion that Kartel’s heart condition precludes a retrial, with Justice McDonald Bishop stating that Likkle Vybz lacks the authority to make such a definitive claim.
During the June 10 retrial hearing in the Court of Appeal attorneys for Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell argued that their client cannot receive a fair retrial. They have submitted an affidavit citing coverage by Sir P, a video blogger from the popular Politricks Watch YouTube channel, arguing that bloggers without journalistic training have influenced public opinion.
Campbell’s sister’s affidavit stated that Jamaica’s jury system cannot assemble an impartial jury and that the family lacks the funds for another trial in what they consider an unjust system.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Claudette Thompson, argued that such points should not be included in affidavits. However, Justice McDonald Bishop overruled her objections, allowing the arguments to remain. The judges noted that they might revisit their preliminary ruling on the DPP’s objections. The hearing is ongoing.
Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop says how long retrials take to start is “material” to the Vybz Kartel case. “We want to be fair,” she said Monday. The Court of Appeal request a report from the Supreme Court on cases sent back for retrial in the last six years.
