Vybz Kartel, one of the most influential Dancehall artists of his time, spent nearly 13 years behind bars and was sentenced to life in prison a decade ago. This week, Vybz Kartel exited prison as a free man and is already back in the business of releasing music.
As reported by the Jamaica Observer, Vybz Kartel, 48, was freed from the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre on Wednesday (July 31) to much fanfare. The popular deejay was sentenced to life behind bars in 2014 with eligibility for parole after 35 years. Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was sentenced alongside Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John for the 2011 slaying of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
Back in March of this year, the United Kingdom’s Privy Council overturned the convictions of the accused after jury misconduct was discovered, sending the matter to the Court of Appeal in Jamaica to decide if the men should be retried or released.
On Wednesday, judges overseeing the matter decided to not enact another trial and allowed Kartel, Campbell, and St. John to go free. Jones remained behind bars as he continues to serve an 18-year sentence in connection to an earlier wounding with intent charge after shooting a man in 2009.
The panel of judges cited 12 factors that allowed the men to go free, which included the absence of evidence, the absence of defense witnesses, the absence of prosecution witnesses, the physical, psychological, and emotional health of Palmer, and other related factors.
In delivering a statement to the Observer, Kartel described his time behind bars as “hell” and warned young people in Jamaica to steer far away from a life of crime.
The self-proclaimed “World Boss” is wasting little time and released a new project titled First Week Out, a 12-track effort that he is heavily promoting across his social media channels.
Salute to Vybz Kartel!
Badmind how yuh feel?
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— Vybz Kartel (@Vybz_Official) August 1, 2024
Am out! Me and WIFEY
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— Vybz Kartel (@Vybz_Official) July 31, 2024
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Photo: Hiroyuki Ito / Getty
