The prosecution in Vybz Kartel’s retrial hearing has indicated that a possible murder retrial for the deejay and his three co-accused could happen as early as 2025.
Vybz Kartel, Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John were all handed life sentences in 2014 for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. However, in March, the United Kingdom-based Privy Council overturned the convictions and ordered that the Jamaican Court of Appeal should decide whether there will be a retrial.
On Thursday, the fourth day of the retrial hearing for the men, Jamaica’s Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson mentioned that the case might be scheduled for the Hilary court term (January 2025 – April 2025). She highlighted the Supreme Court’s system that prioritizes certain cases based on factors like the age of the case.
The Court of Appeal judges expressed doubts about this timeframe but agreed to wait for a report on handling retrial cases.
Financial considerations of a retrial
When discussing the cost of such a retrial, Thompson asserted that the potential costs should not deter the Court of Appeal from ordering a retrial for Vybz Kartel and his co-accused.
She emphasized the gravity of the case, involving an alleged murder, an illegal firearm, a missing body, and attempts to destroy the crime scene.
Thompson said: “Murder in general is worth it and this murder specifically because of how it was done, the reason it was done…I don’t know how we can affix a cost to justice.”
Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop interjected, seeking clarification, “You are saying because it is a murder and the type of murder, the government will have to find the money?”
“The state will just have to bear the cost,” Thompson said.
Justice McDonald-Bishop said the court will have to consider whether the government’s budget can handle additional costs from a potential retrial.
No retrial if all witnesses not available
The Court of Appeal also warned that the retrial will not proceed if witnesses are unavailable. Justice McDonald-Bishop emphasized that the court would not send the case back to the Supreme Court only to wait for witnesses to be located.
“This Court will not be sending any case to Supreme Court again to sit and wait until witnesses are found,” she said.
Thompson assured that most witnesses are available, but the judge insisted on confirmation that these witnesses had been contacted and were willing to testify.
“How can we say with your assertion, just say that these witnesses are available?” the judge asked.
“So giving us a list of witnesses in your submission, I believe, doesn’t cut it and the other side has objected,” McDonald-Bishop said.
In closing on Thursday, the Court of Appeal decided to accept all documents filed by the defence and the prosecution in the hearing. The retrial hearing for the four men ends today.
