Jamaican Dancehall artist, Vybz Kartel, has been freed by Jamaica’s Court of Appeal after being convicted in 2014 for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
Kartel, who spent over a decade in prison, had his conviction overturned after a long legal battle.
“Badmind how yuh feel?” Vybz Kartel, also known as Addi Teacha posted following his release.
Kartel, whose given name is Adidja Palmer, along with fellow artist Shawn Campbell, also known as Shawn Storm, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John, were acquitted for the murder of Lizard, one of Kartel’s footsoldiers in 2011.
In March, the United Kingdom’s Privy Council overturned Kartel’s 2014 murder conviction after they discovered juror misconduct in the initial trial.
The decision on whether to retry Kartel and his co-defendants was left to a three-person court of appeals in Jamaica.
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The Court of Appeal chose to set them all free, stating that “The interests of justice do not require a new trial to be ordered.”
This ended a 13-year journey that involved arrests, trials, convictions, and ultimately a successful appeal.
The musician was at the height of his career when he was incarcerated, and many fans eagerly await to reunite with the Clarks hitmaker’s good vibes.
The initial trial against Kartel and his co-defendants lasted just over two months before their conviction on March 14, 2014.
Prosecutors claimed that Williams was killed over missing guns and that Kartel had lured him to his home before the fatal beating of Lizzard, whose body was never found.
Legendary artists like Tupac, Buju Banton, and the more recent XXXTentacion, produced some major hits after doing hard time, suggesting that their time away from society enhanced their lyrics and creativity.
Fans are excited to see what music the Gaza Emperor will bring out next.
