Dancehall star Vybz Kartel and two of his three co-accused were denied bail on Thursday afternoon, May 29, 2024, when they appeared in the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Justice Andrea Thomas in denying bail to the applicants, said in the absence of a verdict or acquittal by the Privy Council, the charge of murder remains in effect.
“In view of the fact that their appeal is not yet determined they should remain in custody until their appeal is concluded… That is until a verdict of acquittal is entered or there is a decision for a retrial,” Thomas said.
On Wednesday members of the prosecution and the defence made arguments in Kartel’s habeas corpus case which would have determined whether the artiste would given bail.
Lawyers representing Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer and two of his three co-accused filed the habeas corpus application seeking their release on May 14 because of issues the defence did not wish to disclose.
The application follows the Privy Council’s March 14 ruling that Kartel and his co-accused have their convictions overturned for the 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.
Vybz Kartel will reportedly remain behind bars despite his murder conviction recently being overturned. 😬
Details here: https://t.co/XDRxPUzbQ0 pic.twitter.com/0mALmeNsmh
— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 31, 2024
The Privy Council had ordered that the case be returned to Jamaica’s Appeal Court to decide whether a retrial is necessary for Kartel and his co-accused Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John.
The Privy Council’s ruling followed an appeal made in February by lawyers representing the then-convicts, who argued various grounds, including the admissibility of telecommunication evidence, allegations of jury misconduct, and pressure on the jury to reach a verdict.
In April 2014, Kartel was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after serving 35 years of his sentence. His co-accused were also handed life sentences – with Shawn Storm and Jones being eligible for parole after serving 25 years, and St John being eligible after serving 15 years.
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