Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 04, 2014 News
An undeniable, yet divisive, talent, Vybz Kartel has entered into a career phase his seemingly invincible ego, as the self-designated as the World Boss, might have never envisioned: a life sentence, handed down today by Justice Lennox Campbell in Jamaica’s Supreme Court. Several roads were closed within the vicinity of the downtown Kingston courthouse in anticipation of today’s sentencing, which was originally scheduled for March 27th.
Kartel will not be eligible for parole until he serves 35 years of his life sentence, while Shawn Campbell and Kahira Jones will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years of their life sentences; Andre St. John will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years of his life sentence.
On March 13th, Kartel, born Adidja Palmer, was found guilty of the August 16, 2011 murder of his former associate Clive “Lizard” Williams, the outcome of a 58-day trial, which commenced on November 18th, 2013 — said to be the longest in the history of Jamaica’s Circuit court. Guilty verdicts were also handed to Shawn Campbell (dancehall artist Shawn Storm), Kahira Jones and Andre St. John, who each received life sentences today. The fourth co-accused, Shane Williams, received the jury’s sole not guilty decision. Minutes after the verdicts were announced, juror Livingston Cain was charged with bribing the jury foreman to influence a not guilty verdict; Shane Williams is now charged in another murder case.
Palmer’s lawyers will appeal today’s conviction, a process expected to take between 6-12 months, said Christian Tavares-Finson, who along with his father Tom Tavares-Finson have represented the embattled dancehall artist since the trial started. The defense maintains the prosecution presented evidence that had been fabricated and otherwise manipulated including text messages reportedly sent from Palmer’s phone, after it was confiscated, allegedly boasting of the butchering of Williams’ body, which has never been found.
In August, Palmer will face charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice as related to the Williams murder case; police reported that Kartel’s protégé, singer Vanessa Saddler, a.k.a Gaza Slim, and an associate, Andre Henry, went to a Kingston precinct where Saddler filed a statement claiming she had been robbed at knifepoint by Williams five days after Palmer was charged with his murder. According to police, evidence exists, including phone records, indicating that Palmer instructed Saddler to report the robbery.
“Jamaica feels this because Vybz Kartel has contributed a lot to reggae, no matter what anyone says, and we will support him in any way that we can,” says Tad Dawkins, founder of the Kingston/Miami based reggae independent Tad’s Records who have released three albums by Kartel, including his 2013 set, “Kartel Forever Trilogy,” which reached no. 11 on the Reggae Album chart.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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