KINGSTON, Jamaica—Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop expresses confidence in reaching a decision on whether to retry Vybz Kartel and his co-accused no later than July, when the court term ends. The announcement follows the rebuttal submission of attorneys Isat Buchanan and John Clarke.
McDonald-Bishop acknowledges the complexity of the decision, particularly when dealing with a serious offense and the passage of time. She reassures that the Court will carefully consider all aspects brought forward by the Crown and the defense, with special attention to Kartel’s health.
She affirms that the decision will be delivered by the end of the term in July.
Kartel, Shawn Storm, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John were charged with the September 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.
The Court of Appeal upheld their convictions in 2020. However, on March 14, 2024, the United Kingdom-based Privy Council, Jamaica’s final Court of appeal, overturned the convictions on the grounds of juror misconduct.
Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, Justices Paulette Williams, and David Fraser remain dedicated to giving this case the thorough consideration it deserves.
Buchanan: Acquittal Is the Only Appropriate Response for Kartel and Co-accused.
Defence lawyer Isat Buchanan presented a compelling argument, emphasizing the necessity for an acquittal to safeguard against further constitutional violations in the case of Vybz Kartel and his co-accused.
Buchanan critiqued the Crown’s presentation, highlighting the need for a deeper examination of the breaches and pertinent issues, particularly in the absence of applicable case law. He underlined the importance of addressing and mitigating any breaches to ensure a fair retrial, emphasizing the defendants’ innocence regarding constitutional issues and the passage of time since the original offenses.
In a thought-provoking analogy, Buchanan likened the unregulated influence of ‘Politricks Watch’ to the character ‘Lady Whistledown’ from the popular Netflix series Bridgerton, drawing attention to the media’s impact on public opinion and the limitations of court regulation.
The case, involving Kartel, Shawn Storm, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John, has seen significant developments, including the overturning of their convictions by the United Kingdom-based Privy Council in 2024 due to juror misconduct. The outcome of this appeal, presided over by Justices McDonald-Bishop, Paulette Williams, and David Fraser, will be eagerly awaited.