Vybez Kartel, one of Jamaica’s most celebrated musicians of the 21st century, whose music significantly contributed to the global spread of dancehall, became a free man again on July 31, 2024.
He walked out of prison alongside his three co-defendants. The Jamaican music star had been imprisoned since 2011 over the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, for which they were found guilty by a Jamaican court jury.
For years, Vybez Kartel’s lawyers argued that his conviction was based on circumstantial evidence, specifically messages exchanged over his Blackberry phone with a discredited witness. After nearly a decade of protracted legal battles, the case reached the British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
This committee gave the Jamaican Court of Appeal the option of either declaring a retrial or acquitting the suspects.
Ultimately, the Jamaican Court of Appeal decided to conclude the case. They believed that Vybez Kartel was not in a position to endure whatever lengthy sentence might be issued from a retrial, given the musician’s rapidly deteriorating health condition.
The news of Kartel’s release has been met with jubilation by his fans, who have continued to support him as he released music even while incarcerated.
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