Vybz Kartel, real name Adidja Azim Palmer, has been finally freed on Wednesday July 31 2024, after spending more than 13 years behind bars.
Dancehall artist Vybz Kartel also known as World Boss and his co-accused Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell and Andre St. John were all freed on Wednesday afternoon by the Court of Appeal of Jamaica, following their lawyers arguments that a retrial would have represented a in breach of their constitutional rights.
This awaited judgment was unanimous and was finally handed down by the new President Justice Marva McDonald Bishop , Justices Paulette Williams and David Fraser. They all agreed that the “interest of justice do not require a new trial to be ordered.” Adding that the full judgment setting out reasons for freeing the men will be shared with the public at a later time.
Downtown Kingston has been been heavy patrolled ahead of the ruling, with police setting up a system of crowd control in anticipation of the celebrations and fans gathering in the area.
While Kartel and his co-accused have yet to react to the judgment, the good news comes more than three months after the Privy Council already ruled that the matter should be referred to the Court of Appeal for a decision on a retrial after finding that the jury was biased during the trial in 2014.
Vybz Kartel stepped out of jail as a free man dressed in white pants and shirt and with a red bandana covering his face that was also shielded by some sunglasses. He was immediately greeted by his best friends and by his fiancee Sidem Otzurk, both looked elated to be finally together also in flash! Emotions are rolling high! What a day youths!
Kartel and Shawn Storm are officially free men, this is a the sweetest day for all Vybz Kartel’s fans and family, his Gaza Nation, the Jamaican people and is the sweetest victory for all the people that hoped and pray to see the man coming out a road in their lifetime. Never Give Up. Life Over Dead.
