The Director of Public Prosecutions, Paula Llewellyn, has announced her intention to pursue a retrial for Vybz Kartel and his co-accused in the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams in the Jamaican Court of Appeal. Llewellyn, who is scheduled to retire next year, told Nation Wide 90 FM that her decision “has nothing to do with emotions” or “what the likely verdict may be,” but the that decision will be based on obligation of the law.
The UK’s Privy Council overturned Vybz Kartel’s murder conviction along with his co-accused Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. Johns March 14, 2024, citing jury tampering that infringed on his constitutional rights. The decision quashed the convictions and remitted the case to Jamaica’s Court of Appeal for consideration of a retrial. Kartel, along with his co-accused, had been convicted in 2014 for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, alleged to have taken place in Kartel’s house in 2011. The trial which lasted a record 65 days was marked by contentious issues, including the admissibility of telecommunications evidence and allegations of jury tampering, which the trial judge handled controversially.
The Privy Council’s ruling has broader implications for legal procedures, emphasizing the need for procedural fairness and integrity in judicial processes in Jamaica.
In the midst of her setback and pubic sentiments surrounding the case the DPP said, “I believe we will be obliged to, given the strength of the case for the prosecution that was put up and given the authority for the case law,” the DPP told Nationwide 90 FM on Monday.
Following the verdict last Thursday, the dancehall star, through several statements remains confident despite the overturned murder conviction by the UK’s Privy Council, urging Jamaica’s Court of Appeal to ensure justice prevails. In on statement posted by Fox5’s Lisa Evers, Kartel’s official page said, “I feel victorious in this very moment as the Privy council in their infinite wisdom, understood the assignment and remedied the situation by quashing my conviction.” He continued, “I am now back to being an innocent man in the eyes of the law.”
He sees the Privy Council’s decision as a victory for justice, stressing flaws in the original trial, including juror misconduct and witness credibility issues. Kartel expresses readiness for a potential retrial, confident in his innocence and the support of his legal team. He awaits the Court of Appeal’s decision while emphasizing his desire to reunite with his family after years of separation.
Kartel’s lawyer Alessandra LaBeach speaking with TVJ’s Smile Jamaica on Friday confirmed that she will be seeking bail for her client.
