Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel has been released from prison after serving 13 years.
The No Regret crooner was serving a life sentence after he was convicted in 2011 for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
In March this year, he won an appeal against his sentencing in 2014, due to “juror misconduct” in the original trial.
Per the development, a Jamaican Court of Appeal was to determine whether the musician would be tried all over again. However, the 48-year-old was freed this week after appellate judges in Jamaica ruled against a retrial.
A ruling in favor of his appeal in March by the UK Privy Council indicated 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.”
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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 before 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.
