Final Arguments in Vybz Kartel’s Appeal Made: Privy Council to Decide Deejay’s Fate – Watch Feb 15 Live-Stream

K. BrownFebruary 15, 2024, 10:53 AM

Following the first day of the appeal on Wednesday, the final arguments for Dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel and his co-appellants were made on February 15 before the United Kingdom Privy Council.

The deejay and his co-appellants, Kahira Jones, Andre St. John, and Shawn Campbell, professionally known as Shawn Storm, are currently seeking to have their 2014 murder conviction for the death of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams overturned by the Privy Council.

During day one of Kartel’s appeal, arguments by the defence and prosecution were primarily focused on the attempted jury tampering during the trial by now-convicted jury member Livingston Caine.

Prior to his conviction, Cain was permitted to remain on the jury during the trial. On Wednesday, the prosecution defended the judge’s decision to allow all the jurors to remain, suggesting that Caine’s presence did not warrant their dismissal.

Kartel’s attorney, Isat Buchanan, regarded Caine’s presence and the knowledge of the then-alleged bribe attempt as “poison” that was spread amongst the other jurors.

Buchanan further questioned the use of telecommunication evidence that was obtained by the authorities, specifically their validity and the legality surrounding their use in the trial.

Both the defence and prosecution continued their arguments on Thursday, with the possible tainting of the jury remaining a topic of importance. Also explored was the possibility of a retrial if the appellant’s convictions are overturned.

King’s Counsel Hugh Southey, one of the representatives of the appellants, has argued that the high-profile nature of the case will make it impossible to retry the defendants without bias. Buchanan stated yesterday that the appellant’s conviction should be completely overturned with no retrial.

Watch the proceedings from day two below: