Vybz Kartel’s Appeal To Move Case To The UK Privy Council Begins
Attorneys for Vybz Kartel and his co-accused have begun their presentation to have the murder conviction against the men overturned. The action comes following the rejection of their appeal by the Jamaican Court of Appeal in April.
Ironically, they must apply to this same court to get permission to take the case to the UK Privy Council, which is the fifth and highest tier of the Jamaican justice system.
The matter is being heard in the lower Court by Justice Patrick Brooks. The men including, Adidjah ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer, Shawn ‘Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John were convicted in 2014 and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard Williams.
The matter commenced yesterday via video link and attorney-at-law Bert Samuels updated THE STAR on what has happened so far.
“It started with Bianca Samuels for Shawn Campbell; John Clarke for Kahira Jones and Andre St John and Isat Buchanan for Adidjah Palmer. They are continuing their presentation and could occupy an hour tomorrow [today],” he told THE STAR.
Following presentations, Queens Counsel Jeremy Taylor will begin his response to the matter. There is no definite word on when the proceedings will finish. However, if the Jamaican Court of Appeal does not grant permission to take the case to the Privy Council they will have to approach the Privy Council’s Board for permission.
According to the Privy Council’s website: “In the absence of leave, permission to appeal must be granted by the Board. In some cases, there is an appeal as of right and a slightly different procedure applies,” the information read. “In criminal cases, it is unusual for the lower court to have the power to grant leave unless your case raises questions of great and general importance, or there has been some grave violation of the principles of natural justice.”
During the lower Court appeal case, it was decided that there was an oversight made by the original trial judge Justice Campbell in terms of sentencing but it was also determined that charges should stand. Based on that decision Kartel must now serve 32 and a half years minimum before becoming eligible for parole.
He was incarcerated since 2011 after he was detained for marijuana possession. Following that arrest, he was charged and later convicted of the murder. Last week Kartel told Billboard Magazine that he was confident that his conviction would be overturned at the UK-based court.
“I would like to say re the Privy Council that I am going to be out soon. Law and statute are what the council deals in, not corruption. The appeal hearing in Jamaica, just like the trial, was a joke, a kangaroo court, a circus,” he said.
He also maintained that he believes his trial was unfair.
“Everyone is concerned with where Lizard is. Kids have been murdered but, whatever, they’re just kids…elderly have been murdered but that’s nothing…they were gonna die anyway. ‘WE WANT JUSTICE FOR LIZARD!!!’ is their cry. F–king idiots.” he said.
“Over 11,000 people and no national outcry. I don’t even blame government as much anymore because as the Jamaican saying goes, ‘if patient don’t care, what doctor must do?’ So, there is no fair trial.”