Attorney Confident Vybz Kartel Conviction Will Be Overturned Due to Tainted Jury
Attorney Bert Samuels has expressed confidence that the conviction of entertainer Adidja ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer and three others for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams will not hold due to evidence of a tainted jury.
Representing Kahira Jones, Samuels highlighted questions posed by judges during the ongoing UK-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council’s appeal hearing, suggesting skepticism about the fairness of the trial.
One judge’s remark, questioning the validity of a 10-member jury in a murder case, particularly resonated with Samuels.
He interpreted such inquiries as favourable signs for the appeal’s outcome.
Leonard Green, President of the Advocates Association of Jamaica, echoed concerns over the fairness of jury deliberations within strict time constraints.
Citing the “Watson direction” from British courts, which emphasises the importance of jurors deliberating without pressure, Green emphasised the need for jurors to be in the right state of mind to render a fair verdict.
He suggested that jurors’ fatigue, particularly when deliberations extended late into the day, could compromise the fairness of their decisions.
The Privy Council resumed the appeal hearing early Thursday morning, continuing to scrutinise the fairness of the jury’s conduct in the trial.
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