The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) is set to deliver its final verdict on Vybz Kartel and three others’ appeal on Thursday (March 14) at 11 AM (Jamaica Time).
In March 2014, 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. The case rested heavily on telecommunication evidence, including a damning text 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.
Following an unsuccessful appeal in April 2020, the men turned to the Privy Council, Jamaica’s final appellate court, seeking to overturn their sentences. The Privy Council will 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.
The panel of five justices, including Lord Reed, Lord Lloyd-Jones, Lord Briggs, Lord Burrows, and Lady Simler, focused particularly 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.
