RCA Recording artist Lila Iké who adopted the moniker ‘Wurl Iké’ promises to walk naked outside if Vybz Kartel is freed on Thursday by the U.K.’s Privy Council. Taking to X late Wednesday evening the ‘Where I’m Coming’ From artist tweeted, “Anyhow me wake up tomorrow and hear say Wurl boss free me a run out a door naked.”
Anyhow me wake up tomorrow and hear say Wurl boss free me a run out a door naked 😭
— He Loves Us Both (@LilaIkeJa) March 14, 2024
As Jamaica and the Dancehall community worldwide eagerly anticipate the final verdict in the Vybz Kartel and three others’ murder appeal trial which the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) is set to deliver today today (March 14) at 11 AM (Jamaica Time) several person on social media have weighed in on the pending matter with memes and reactions.
One person tweeted, “Patiently waiting for Vybz Kartel’s verdict.”
Patiently waiting for Vybz Kartel’s verdict pic.twitter.com/xrE0XH5o8J
— natss🫠 (@fq_natss) March 14, 2024
Another person said, “FREE VYBZ KARTEL!!!!!!!! THAT’S ALL THAT MATTERS TODAY.”
FREE VYBZ KARTEL!!!!!!!! THAT’S ALL THAT MATTERS TODAY
— SNOWY (@SNOW667) March 14, 2024
Vybz Kartel, born Adidja Palmer, along with Shawn ‘Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre ‘Mad Suss’ St. John, were convicted of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams’ murder with telecommunication evidence, including text messages from Kartel’s phone, and the testimony of Lamar “Wee” Chow. Despite Williams’ body never being found, the conviction led to life sentences ranging from 22 to 32 years.
In April 2020, the men turned to the Privy Council seeking to overturn their sentences after Jamaica’s Supreme Court upheld the verdict. The Privy Council is set to rule on three pivotal aspects of the case, including the exclusion of telecommunications evidence, handling of jury bribery allegations, and the timing of the verdict.
Judges Lord Reed, Lord Lloyd-Jones, Lord Briggs, Lord Burrows, and Lady Simler tried the appeal with a focus on the issue of jury tampering during the hearings in February. Kartel’s lawyer, Isat Buchanan, argued that tainted juror Livingston Caine should have been discharged, potentially influencing the verdict.
While the prosecution, represented by King’s Counsel Peter Knox, emphasized the judge’s proper handling of the situation, co-appellants’ attorney Hugh Southey contested the assertion of no bias among jurors.
The Kartel trial lasted 65 days in a Jamaican court, the longest in the history of the country.
Attorney Bert Samuels who has was previously part of the defense team will be having a press conference following the verdict today at 11:00 am in Kingston, Jamaica.
