Jamaican government ordered to repay Vybz Kartel lawyer fees
Key Points(5)
- The Jamaican government has been ordered to reimburse Vybz Kartel and his co-accused for the legal expenses incurred during their recent appeal to the United Kingdom Privy Council.
- In a significant development last month, the incarcerated dancehall artist and his co-accused - Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John - saw their life sentences from a 2014 conviction overturned by the United Kingdom-based Privy Council due to concerns about jury tampering.
- Originally convicted in 2014 for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams in 2011, the quartet's initial appeal to the Jamaican Court of Appeal was unsuccessful in 2020.
- The Privy Council's ruling mandates that the case be remitted to Jamaica’s Appeal Court, tasking it with determining whether to order a retrial for Vybz Kartel and his associates or to release them altogether.
- That hearing is set for June 10 and will last five days.
The Jamaican government has been ordered to reimburse Vybz Kartel and his co-accused for the legal expenses incurred during their recent appeal to the United Kingdom Privy Council.
In a significant development last month, the incarcerated dancehall artist and his co-accused - Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John - saw their life sentences from a 2014 conviction overturned by the United Kingdom-based Privy Council due to concerns about jury tampering.
Originally convicted in 2014 for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams in 2011, the quartet's initial appeal to the Jamaican Court of Appeal was unsuccessful in 2020.
The Privy Council's ruling mandates that the case be remitted to Jamaica’s Appeal Court, tasking it with determining whether to order a retrial for Vybz Kartel and his associates or to release them altogether. That hearing is set for June 10 and will last five days.
On April 10, King Charles signed off on the Privy Council's decision to quash the murder convictions. The King's order from the Court at Buckingham Palace also states that Jamaica must reimburse the men all court costs.
According to the order:
- The appeal should be allowed;
- The Appellants’ convictions should be quashed on the ground of juror misconduct;
- The case should be remitted to the Court of Appeal to decide whether to order a re-trial as soon as reasonably practicable;
- The Respondent should pay the Appellants’ costs, the amount of those costs to be assessed if not agreed.
"HIS MAJESTY was pleased by and with the advice of His Privy Council to approve the report and to order that those charged with administering the Government of Jamaica and all others whom it may concern are to ensure that it is punctually observed and obeyed," the document also stated.
Reimbursed funds will be taxed
Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is aware that the government has been ordered to pay all costs relating to the Privy Council appeal of Vybz Kartel and his co-appellants.
Minister Chuck explained that the move is not unusual and that the amount to be paid must be agreed upon with the DPP’s office and will be taxed.
Alessandra LaBeach, one of Kartel’s attorneys, said the appellants are satisfied that there will be some level of compensation for them.
