Jamaican dancehall star, Vybz Kartel, has reportedly won an appeal against his sentencing in 2014, due to “juror misconduct” in the original trial.
Per the latest development, a Jamaican Court of Appeal will now determine whether the musician will be tried all over again.
Vybz Kartel was sentenced to life in prison in 2014, after he was convicted of the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
Recent findings suggest that during the trial, one juror allegedly tried to bribe other jurors to return not-guilty verdicts, but the alleged ‘briber’ was not dismissed from the case.
According to media reports, the UK Privy Council ruled that allowing “a questionable juror to stay on the jury was “fatal to the safety of the convictions that followed” and “an infringement” of the [musician’s] fundamental right to a fair hearing.”
Related stories
The trial of Vybz Kartel and his co-defendants lasted 64 days and was described as one of the longest in Jamaican history.
Born, Adidja Azim Palmer on January 7, 1976, the Summertime hitmaker worked with many musicians prior to his incarceration.
His discography includes Romping Shop (2009), Dancehall Hero (2010), and Summer Time (2011), with music collaborations including Rihanna, Jay-Z, Digga D, Missy Elliot, and many others.
Despite his imprisonment, the talented singer often released new music, releasing over 50 new songs in 2016 alone. His hit song, Fever was certified gold in June 2020.
The singer was best known by his nickname ‘Worl Boss’ or Teacha, as well as his provocative lyrics and unique dancehall style. He also became the first dancehall artist to star in his own reality TV show, Teacha’s Pet.
