Kartel And Co-accused Need To Wait Until July For Pre-trial Ruling
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The pretrial decision for dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, Shawn Storm, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John is expected to be handed down by the end of July 2024, further fueling anticipation about what will be the end result of the high-profile case.
On Tuesday, June 18, Judge Marva McDonald-Bishop presided over the seventh day of the pre-trial hearing, emphasizing the gravity of the upcoming decision. “Now the hard work is to begin,” McDonald-Bishop declared, underscoring the complexity and seriousness of determining whether a retrial is warranted.
The judge acknowledged that deciding on a retrial is never straightforward, particularly when dealing with a severe offence and a considerable passage of time since the original trial. Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, along with the three other accused men has been incarcerated since 2024 for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.
During the pre-trial proceedings, Judge McDonald-Bishop remarked, “You have given us a lot to think about,” indicating the weighty considerations before the court. The defence has raised multiple issues, including concerns about Kartel’s health, which have been factored into the court’s deliberations.
The judge assured that the decision regarding the retrial will be made with careful attention to all presented issues, stating that the ruling will be issued no later than the end of July.
As the court approaches this crucial decision, all eyes remain on the legal process and the potential implications for Kartel, whose music and influence extend far beyond the courtroom.
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