Isat Buchanan, attorney for incarcerated entertainer Vybz Kartel, is exploring his options following Thursday’s positive ruling by the UK-based Privy Council that overturned the convictions of the entertainer and his three co-accused.
The law lords also stated that the Court of Appeal of Jamaica should review the case to determine whether a retrial should be ordered for the appellants.
The ruling, delivered just after 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2024, concluded that the appeals should be upheld and the convictions quashed due to juror misconduct.
This decision comes nearly ten years to the day after Kartel and three others were found guilty of the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
With the Privy Council ruling, the possibility of an acquittal or retrial is now open for Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer and his three co-appellants Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre “Mad Suss” St. John, who have been serving life sentences for murder since their initial conviction on March 13, 2014.
Kartel’s attorney, Isat Buchanan, says the ruling is a win for his team.
“I can tell you, certainly on behalf of the clients, they are very, very, very happy. And I know because we would have discussed these matters before in terms of outcomes. It is very significant that persons know that they are now cloaked in the presumption of innocence and can’t be referred to as convicts—that’s a big thing in the Jamaican space—and the Constitution reigns supreme.”
Isat Buchanan, attorney for Vybz Kartel
He expressed his delight at the Privy Council’s respect for our courts of appeal. As for the men, he is confident that the court will deal with the matter expeditiously.
While he does not believe that “in the interest of justice, a retrial would be a matter for the state to try to take on now,” the attorney stated that if the matter goes to a retrial, the defense will vigorously fight it.
Attorney Christopher Townsend anticipated the judgment.
However, he asserted that the ruling underscores Jamaica’s judicial system deficiencies.
“It is a second attempt, I believe, at fairness because, remember, all of these questions had passed our court and had gone to the Privy Council, and their decision was really decided on a question of fairness. Now, why didn’t we decide that? Why couldn’t we make a decision similar to the one made by the Privy Council? Is it that our judicial system is not sufficiently mature? Have they sent it back to us to say, look guys, it’s time if it is that you want your apex court, then make better decisions,” he contended.
Christopher Towsend, attorney at law
This seismic shift in the case imperils what could be deemed one of the most momentous triumphs of Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn’s era as chief prosecutor.
She was unavailable for comments on Thursday following the Privy Council’s ruling.
In response to the ruling, certain members of the public at the Pearnel Charles Arcade in downtown Kingston likened Vybz Kartel to icons like Bob Marley and Nelson Mandela.
Others lauded the artist for his musical genius, contending that Kartel is far too cultured to be ensnared in a murder case.
In Waterford, Portmore, where the entertainer once resided, one resident proclaimed that the verdict was prophesied, as she had dreamt that this would be the ultimate outcome.
Authorities on the Hunt for suspects Involved in brawl with Law Enforcement in Negril.
Negril, Jamaica–The police in Westmoreland are currently conducting a search for individuals involved in a physical altercation with officers in Whitehall, Negril on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
Seven individuals have been charged in connection to the incident, which was recorded on video and widely circulated.
The footage depicts a group of officers attempting to apprehend a man, only to be met with opposition from local residents who interfered with the police’s efforts.
The incident unfolded after 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2024, when law enforcement responded to a noise complaint from a party in the Whitehall community.
Reportedly, the primary instigator, Andre Brown from Old Hope, Little London, faces nine charges, including four counts of assault causing bodily harm, unlawful wounding, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and use of abusive and defamatory language.
Additional charges are anticipated for Mr. Brown and the other six individuals facing similar accusations.
Senior Superintendent Wayne Josephs, head of the Westmoreland Police, emphasized the dangers of citizens obstructing lawful arrests, cautioning against the long-term ramifications such actions could have on their records, particularly with regard to employment opportunities locally or abroad.
SSP Josephs also urged the public to continue documenting police interactions, underscoring the role such recordings play in identifying suspects.
Three individuals involved in lottery scams have been ordered to pay $5 million.
Three individuals from Lucea, Hanover, have been implicated in a lottery scamming operation and have been instructed to pay the state a hefty $5 million under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The Supreme Court issued the financial penalty orders against the trio on March 7, 2024.
Keyfa Barrett, a 43-year-old autobody mechanic with no known legitimate source of income, has been ordered to pay $1,669,550. The court has mandated an immediate payment of $424,030, with the remaining amount to be paid in monthly installments of $26,490 over four years. Failure to comply will lead to the seizure and sale of his assets.
Barret’s spouse, 39-year-old waitress Davian Wilson, has been ordered to pay $970,000, starting with an immediate payment of $250,000. The balance will be paid in monthly installments of $15,000 over four years. Failure to make the payments will result in liquidating her assets to settle the outstanding amounts.
Kelson Barrett, a 43-year-old chef who is Keyfa Barrett’s cousin, has been ordered to pay $2,560,000. He is instructed to make an upfront payment of $1 million, with the remaining balance to be paid in monthly installments of $32,500 over four years.
The Principal Director of Investigations at the FID, Keith Darien, commented on the judgment, emphasizing the judiciary’s firm stance on enforcing financial legislation and its role in deterring similar offenses in the future.
The case began with a routine check by JCF officers along Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril, Westmoreland, in February 2011. The police discovered a vehicle driven by Keyfa Barrett with the other two individuals on board, carrying a large leather bag overflowing with cash. A subsequent investigation uncovered electronic devices and notebooks containing identity information and financial details consistent with lottery scamming.
Further analysis revealed that between 2007 and 2011, the Barretts and Wilson received over $26 million from 32 US citizens with whom they had no familial ties. The transactions were carried out through local remittance services and credit unions. These findings led to the conviction of all three for engaging in transactions involving criminal property linked to lottery scamming and related fraudulent acts.