Attorney Isat Buchanan has argued that Vybz Kartel’s medical and psychological conditions should prevent the Court of Appeal from ordering a new murder trial for him and his three co-accused.
On Wednesday, during the third day of proceedings in the Court of Appeal, Buchanan revealed that his client, Adidja Palmer (known as Vybz Kartel), has a heart operating at only 50 percent capacity.
Buchanan informed the court that Kartel suffers from Graves’ Disease, heart issues, and mental health problems, which would worsen if he faced a retrial.
Citing a medical report prepared by Dr. Karen Phillips on June 3 and accompanying affidavit, Buchanan said, “A retrial in circumstances where it is not his fault, it is the inability to get the type of treatment to save his life would be unfair to him and would not be in the interest of justice to order a retrial to put him through this ordeal which, certainly on medical evidence, is something he would not sustain.
“Morbidity is the reality of mortality,” he added.
Buchanan also cited a psychological report indicating that Kartel suffers from anxiety and mental frailty due to his arrest and incarceration, leading to his illness behind bars.
Attorney wants judges to consider all factors
Buchanan also urged the three-judge panel to consider the costs of a new trial, including medical expenses and the financial burden on all parties involved, alongside Kartel’s inability to earn money to support his dependents.
Given all these factors, including the uncertainty of another trial and the unfairness of the previous one, Buchanan argued that it is impossible for Kartel and his co-accused to have a fair trial.
Vybz Kartel, along with Andre St John, Kahira Jones, and Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, was charged with the 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. Their convictions were overturned by the Privy Council in March, and the case was sent back to the Court of Appeal to determine whether they should be retried.
The prosecution will begin presenting its argument today on why the men should be retried, with the hearing expected to conclude on Friday.
