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Kartel’s lawyer says he may not need to seek bail for his client
Adidja Palmer known as Vybz Kartel heading to court in August 2014. (Photo: dancehallmag)
Kaieteur News – The attorney representing dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, Isat Buchanan, says he may not need to seek bail for his client due to the expedited nature of the case.
“The perfected order from the Privy Council is not yet there, we do know that this is an expedited matter and we expect that the court will treat with it with high priority and expedition and we may not need to do bail,” Buchanan said during an interview with Konnect Media.
Attorney for dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, Isat Buchanan
Buchanan signalled last week that his next move was to seek bail for his client following a ruling by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) on Thursday, March 14, that the convictions against Kartel and his three co-accused be quashed, due to juror misconduct and that the case be sent back to the Court of Appeal to decide on a retrial.
Kartel, whose given name is Adidja Palmer, and his three co-accused; Shawn Campbell, more popularly known as Shawn Storm, Kahira Jones and Andre St John, were convicted in 2014 for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.
However, the JCPC on Thursday overturned the convictions due to allegations of jury misconduct, where a juror reportedly attempted to bribe other members of the jury in the 2014 murder trial.
Buchanan said his client is in good spirits following the Privy Council ruling and is eagerly anticipating becoming a free man.
“Yesterday, I went to visit Vybz Kartel, he is excited, he is elated, he no longer have that 35 years above his head or life sentence or the conviction, so he is now just anticipating his day so he can deal with his health and get back to freedom,” Buchanan said.
On the matter of retrial, Buchanan said he is of the view that a retrial is not needed on the matter.
“Defence lawyers defend and prosecutors prosecute, her position [Director of Public Prosecutions] is consistent with the adversarial environment of the criminal, so we are of the view that a retrial is not needed,” he said.
Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn has indicated that her office will seek a retrial for Vybz Kartel and his co-accused.
- Adidja Palmer, Defence lawyers, Isat Buchanan, Kahira Jones, Lizard’ Williams, Shawn Storm, Vybz Kartel
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