Vybz Kartel’s eagerly anticipated appeal verdict still pending.
Vybz Kartel, government name Adidja Palmer, along with fellow entertainer Shawn Storm, Andre St John, and Kahira Jones were found guilty in 2014 for the 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams after a 9 week long trial.
Mandatory life sentences were dished out with the self-proclaimed “Worl’Bossâ€, instructed to serve 35 years before parole eligibility. Campbell, Jones and St John were ordered to each serve 25 years before they become eligible for parole.
Last year, they made an appeal against their murder convictions in the Supreme Court. In nearly five days of legal submissions, the attorneys for Kartel and his three co-convicts argued that their right to a fair trial was prejudiced by a number of factors.
Almost a year later, a blanket of uncertainty still hovers over their appeal case, as the date when the verdict will be announced remains unknown.
Vybz Kartel’s attorney, Valerie Neita-Robertson says they have not heard anything from the Court of Appeal, however, she plans on making an inquiry in the days to come.
“We have to wait for the Court of Appeal to hand down their judgement. We have not been told by them that it is ready, so we continue to wait,†Neita-Robertson said.
Bert Samuels who is a representative for Shawn Storm said the 11 month wait for the appeal verdict is normal. “We are under so much pressure from the client, but we want the court to give us a good judgement, so we do not take on the court,†he said.
Samuels added that Shawn Storm is anxious to be vindicated and believes that he has good grounds for his appeal. “He is hoping that his appeal will be allowed, and there will be no order for re-trial,†he added.
The wait continues. Meanwhile, checkout Vybz Kartel’s latest summer video ‘Dem No Ready’