Crown’s ‘strong’ case ready for 2025 retrial in Vybz Kartel case

The Crown argued it had a strong case against artist Vybz Kartel and his co-appellants as it launched its bid on Thursday to have the men retried for the 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson stressed to the Court of Appeal that even if the much-vaunted technological evidence is not included, the Crown has the testimony of its main witness and strong circumstantial evidence.

She said the Crown had objectively strong circumstantial evidence from the main witness.

Thompson also cited an affidavit from fellow prosecutor Jeremy Taylor, KC, who states the majority of his witnesses were available for a new trial.

Vybz Kartel, real name Adidja Palmer, along with Andre St John, Kahira Jones and Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell were charged with the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams in 2011 and convicted in 2014. However, they were convicted . quashed by the Privy Council in March this year, and the case remitted to the Court of Appeal to decide whether they should be retried.

The appeals court began hearing arguments on the issue Tuesday, with defense attorneys finalizing their arguments Wednesday before the prosecution presented its case for a new trial today.

The acting director of public prosecutions, during her submissions on Thursday, said that if the court ordered a retrial, the case could begin in 2025.