Waterford residents celebrate Vybz Kartel's overturned murder conviction

Jubilation erupted among some residents of Waterford, Portmore, St Catherine following a ruling by the Privy Council to quash the murder convictions of dancehall entertainer Adidja 'Vybz Kartel' Palmer and three other men.

This morning, the court ordered that the case be sent back to Jamaica's Court of Appeal for a ruling on whether they should be retried.

Kartel, entertainer Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John were convicted in 2014 for killing Clive 'Lizard' Williams in 2011.

When The Gleaner visited the area, some residents were seen gathered around a television at a house to watch the court proceeding.

There were screams of joy when the court ruled to uphold the appeal.

"My mother dream and told me to tell Kartel that them going to free him. She said I should tell him that God is good all the time and he will be free," a resident, Michelle, told The Gleaner.

"Personally, I am happy to see him free because he helped a lot of people, children and the elderly, I am so happy," added the woman, who was in tears.

This sentiment was echoed by several others who told The Gleaner that Palmer, who lived in the community, was a helpful man.

Another resident, who identified himself as 'Gazaboss', between sobs of joy, told The Gleaner that he had confidence in the UK judicial system and that Kartel would be see a favourable outcome.

"I knew that from it reached England, the world boss would be free. I don't expect any retrial, it would not be fair to use tainted evidence to try him again,” he said.

He said there will be celebrations in the community later today. 

The police, in the meantime, were maintaining a presence in the community. 

Senior Superintendent in charge of St Catherine South Police Division Christopher Phillips said no permit has been granted for any mass celebrations involving amplified music in the area.

- Ruddy Mathison

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.