Vybz Kartel and Co-Accused Denied Release: Supreme Court Upholds Detention
Dancehall star Vybz Kartel, born Adidja Palmer, and two of his co-accused will remain behind bars after Supreme Court Justice Andrea Thomas rejected their habeas corpus application on Thursday.
The ruling was delivered in a packed courtroom at the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston, where the judge stated that the murder charge against Kartel and his co-accused, Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell and Andre St John, remains in effect in the absence of a verdict of acquittal by the Privy Council.
Justice Thomas clarified that their current detention does not breach the constitution, noting, “In view of the fact that their appeal is not yet determined, they should remain in custody until their appeal is concluded. That is until a verdict of acquittal is entered or there is a decision for a retrial.”
The decision follows a fervent legal battle to ascertain whether Kartel and the two men were being unlawfully detained.
The defense, led by attorney Isat Buchanan, argued that a conviction must exist to justify their detention. Buchanan emphasised that there was no order by the Apex Court for the continued detention of his clients, thus they should be released.
The habeas corpus application was filed on May 13, with the defense seeking the release of Kartel, Campbell, and St John on the grounds that their detention lacked legal authority.
The application aimed to have the prisoners brought before the court to determine if they should be released or granted bail.
However, Justice Thomas ruled against this application, stating that the defendants must remain in custody until their appeal is resolved.
One co-accused, Kahira Jones, was not included in the habeas corpus application as he reportedly faces another charge. No order was made regarding his status.
This ruling means that Vybz Kartel and his co-accused will remain in detention as their legal battles continue.
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