Judge orders release of Kartel tapes

Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

THE electronic recordings which the Crown is relying on to prove its case against dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel in one of the two murder charges against him are to be released to the defence by April 23.

Justice Marjorie Cole Smith made the order yesterday.

The judge made the order after defence lawyer Valerie Neita Robertson disclosed in court that Kartel's bail application was being held up because she did not receive the tapes.

The case is in relation to the murder of Cliff 'Lizard' Williams.

It is being alleged that Williams was beaten to death in a house in Havendale, St Andrew, in August last year, over the disappearance of two illegal firearms.

Kartel and his co-accused fashion stylist Calvin Haye, entertainer Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell, André St John, Cairo Jones and Shane Williams are charged with the murder.

Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, is also charged jointly with Nigel Thompson and Lenburgh McDonald for the murder of businessman Barrington 'Bossy' Burton who was shot dead in Portmore, St Catherine, in July last year. Kartel has been granted bail in relation to that charge.

He is to return to the Home Circuit Court on April 27 when both murder cases will be mentioned.