After serving ten long years in prison, the Jamaican dancehall artist, Vybz Kartel, is finally going home. Originally, Kartel was sentenced to prison for murder in 2014 until UK judges overturned his conviction in March. Although Vybz Kartel was accused of murdering his associate, Clive “Lizard” Williams in Jamaica, the dancehall artist would still fight for his innocence.
After discovering juror misconduct, London’s judicial committee would end the case giving Jamaica’s Court of Appeal the choice for a retrial. While the courts were deciding if they would do a retrial or let Vybz Kartel walk free, Jamaica’s authorities were determined and tried to fight for a retrial. However, in a shocking twist, Jamaica’s appeal judges would ultimately decide not to pursue another trial, making Kartel a free man once again.
The 2014 Murder Case of Clive Williams
During the trial, the story of what led to William’s death was laid out for everyone who kept up with the case. According to prosecutors, Williams and another person, Lamar Chow, had been given two illegally owned guns that belonged to Vybz Kartel for supervision.
However, things would go wrong when the two failed to return Vybz Kartel’s guns at the time they all agreed to return them. In August 2011, Williams and Chow were requested back to Kartel’s house in Havendale, Kingston, where Chow would tell the court that they were brutally attacked.
Furthermore, the last thing that Chow mentioned seeing during the attack was Williams lying on the ground unconscious. Following the attack, the house would be burned down, resulting in William’s body never being discovered.
What Led to Ruling to Overturn Conviction
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Along with Vybz Kartel, three other people, Kahira Jones, Andre St John, and Shawn Campbell were also accused and fought for their innocence. Unfortunately, they would also be convicted to life sentences for Williams’ murder, with Kartel, specifically, given a minimum 35-year prison sentence. However, their convictions would also be overturned alongside the dancehall artist.
Of the three judges in Jamaica’s Court of Appeal, Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop would offer insight into their decision. Despite the serious offense, the judges would take into account the passage of time, lack of evidence or witnesses, and the retrial’s costly expenses to make their decisions. Moreover, Vybz Kartel’s declining physical and mental health could’ve been further impacted by a new trial.
Who is Jamaican Dancehall Artist Vybz Kartel?
As a popular Jamaican artist, Vybz Kartel has collaborated with other famous performers, with Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Eminem to name a few. Likewise, his hit songs like 2009’s Ramping Shop and 2011’s Summer Time, he proved that he could be a star on his own. Alongside his musical contributions, he would also inspire the rapper, Drake, with his own dancehall music.
Following his prison sentence, he continued to make music, dropping over 50 songs in 2016. Ultimately, his song, Fever, which he released while in prison, would become certified gold. Due to his success in the music industry, Kartel would branch out into launching other products such as alcohol, shoes, and even condoms. Additionally, he holds the record of being the first dancehall artist with his own reality television show, Teacha’s Pet.
What Comes Next After Prison Release
To say Vybz Kartel’s prison release was a huge deal for dancehall fans would be an understatement. In an interview with BBC Newsbeat, 1Xtra’s Dancehall Show’s presenter, Seani B, claimed that Kartel is one of Jamaica’s most famous dancehall artists.
Further in the interview, she’d expressed that after 14 years of being locked up, dancehall fans will be eagerly waiting for Vybz Kartel’s return to the music scene. Not only that but a new generation of dancehall fans can get to experience why the dancehall artist is considered one of the best to do it. Yet, with Kartel’s declining health, fans may have to wait even longer for a release as his well-being is most important.
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