UK-based Privy Council moves up timeline to hear Vybz Kartel appeal

 

The UK-based Privy Council has agreed to move up the timeline to hear the long-awaited appeal of incarcerated dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel and his three co-convicts. 

 

The appeal was originally slated to be heard in April next year, but following an application by his attorneys, the Law Lords agreed to hear the case in February.

 

Lead attorney Bert Samuels told Radio Jamaica News on Wednesday afternoon that the team is pleased. 

 

"The Registrar of the Privy Council advised us yesterday, the team of attorneys for Shawn Campbell and others including Vybz Kartel, that the new date for the hearing of the appeal will be the 14th and 15th of February next year. That is Valentine's Day and the day after. We're happy to hear this news because we were given April 2024 days before. But there was an application to expedite the hearing based primarily on the health condition of Mr. Kartel," he shared. 

 

Mr. Samuels expressed confidence that the attorneys will be successful in the appeal.

 

"We are looking forward to the hearing of the appeal as by way of Valentine's gift to the defence because we are convinced that the grounds argued in the Jamaican Court of Appeal were meritorious and we are of the view that we should get a favourable through the Privy Council."      

 

Vybz Kartel, who given name is Adijah Palmer, as well as Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St. John are serving life sentences for the 2011 murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams.