Gaza residents jubilant over Vybz Kartel ruling
Published:Friday | March 15, 2024 | 12:10 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
News of the United Kingdom (UK) Privy Council ruling, quashing the murder convictions of renowned Jamaican dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel and three others, quickly spread through his Waterford community, located in Portmore, St Catherine.
Vybz Kartel, whose given name is Adidja Palmer, Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John have spent the past decade convicted and behind bars for the 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.
The Privy Council sent the matter back to the local Court of Appeal for a determination on whether the men should face a retrial.
It was jubilant celebration among Kartel’s supporters, who had gathered around television sets and radios around 11 a.m. to listen as the Law Lords presented their ruling.
After eagerly awaiting the decision, supporters in the area of Waterford known as ‘Gaza’ erupted into deafening cheers and applause on learning of the favourable outcome for their beloved entertainer.
“Well, we feel pleased to see that go on. It quash, and I am very happy because dem see that a good youth dem put away,” said John Paul, popularly known as Gaza Legend.
He continued, “After today, mi nuh trust the Jamaican justice system. How can you convict a man with a corrupt juror? One juror corrupt all is corrupt, so I am very happy with the UK system, and it should stay in place, no change.”
Cutty, a resident of Waterford for more than 45 years, said he was overjoyed with the ruling. He criticised the Jamaican justice system while heaping praises on the UK system of justice.
SATISFIED WITH RULING
“This goes to show that we don’t get justice in Jamaica. When you are just a little man in Jamaica an’ is put down, you are expected to stay down. If Kartel never have money he would suffer from this system. I believe that we should remain with the UK system. I am very satisfied with the Privy Council,” Cutty told The Gleaner.
Waterford Councillor Fenley Douglas said he was pleased with the ruling of the UK Privy Council.
“I am extremely elated to know that the Privy Council overturned the decision of the Jamaican courts and stated that the Jamaican Government could proceed to a retrial. What it shows is that there is justice and justice can be had at the UK Privy Council,” Douglas argued.
“The fact that the Law Lords in the UK saw it in their judgment, it would have meant that there were several anomalies in the case here. Justice was not properly served,” he continued.
Douglas praised the entertainer’s creativity, adding that he has a purpose in the community, being one of Jamaica’s prolific writers and a significant influential figure among the nation’s youth.