VYBZ KARTEL TRIAL: Judge highlights 'serious contentions' about phones with text messages

Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator



KINGSTON, Jamaica:

Justice Lennox Campbell has told jurors in the Vybz Kartel murder trial that the defense has raised what he called ‘serious contentions’ about the integrity of cell phones containing evidence implicating the entertainer.



The judge gave the remark as he reviewed the evidence by senior policeman Cornwall ‘Bigga’ Ford, the fifth of the 24 witnesses brought by the prosecution.



The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) had told the court that he went to Altamont Court Hotel in St Andrew in September 2011 where he saw Kartel and recovered four cell phones.



The Crown is alleging at the trial in the Home Circuit Court that Williams was beaten to death at Kartel's house in Havendale on August 16, 2011 over two missing guns.



Justice Campbell reminded the jurors that SSP Ford had told the court that he lost his notebook in which he had recorded the particulars of the phones.



The policeman had also indicated that he had recorded a statement from the notebook after returning to his office from the hotel.



That statement was read out in court.



The judge told the jurors that one of the serious contentions the defense raised is in relation to a BlackBerry Torch.



He said it was important because it was from one of the phones that the text messages implicating the men were taken.



He reminded the jurors of the defence’s argument that while it was in the custody of the police, it had been used.



The defense had complained that the phone cannot be relied on.



Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, is charged jointly with fellow entertainer Shawn Campbell, also called Shawn Storm, Kahira Jones; Shane Williams and André St John.



WATCH: Busta Rhymes attends Vybz Kartel murder trial

Like our new Facebook page:

Gleaner Jamaica



Follow us on Twitter:

@JamaicaGleaner



Email: onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com