Jamaican govt ordered to pay Vybz Kartel’s legal bills after successful conviction appeal

Authorities in the United Kingdom have ordered the Jamaican government to pay the legal bills of renowned dancehall star Vybz Kartel after he successfully appealed his murder conviction.

As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Azim Palmer, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 after he was found guilty of his involvement in the murder of his former associate, Clive “Lizard” Williams. The “Worl’ Boss”, as he’s popularly known, has been locked up in Jamaica since his 2011 arrest in connection with the highly publicized murder.

In 2021, Kartel’s lawyer, Isat Buchanan, filed an appeal against his conviction at the Privy Council in the United Kingdom based on new evidence. Besides Kartel, 48, the Jamaican government was also ordered to foot the legal bills of three other defendants convicted of the murder, Observer Online reported.

“His Majesty was pleased by and with the advice of His Privy Council to approve the report and to order that those charged with administering the Government of Jamaica and all others whom it may concern are to ensure that it is punctually observed and obeyed,” the order, dated April 10, 2024, and signed by a clerk of the Privy Council, stated.

The order also highlighted four points, stating that the “appeal should be allowed” and the “Appellants’ convictions should be quashed on the ground of juror misconduct.”

“The case should be remitted to the Court of Appeal to decide whether to order a re-trial as soon as reasonably practicable,” the third point stated. “The Respondent should pay the Appellants’ costs, the amount of those costs to be assessed if not agreed,” the fourth point stated.

The March ruling by the Privy Council means the local Court of Appeal will once again hear the murder case. The Court of Appeal is expected to convene on June 10 to determine if the case should be retried or whether the She Holding On singer and his co-defendants should be released.