Kartel appeal now at ‘advanced stage’ – Lawyers hopeful for an early 2020 verdict

After 16 months of waiting for a verdict in the Vybz Kartel case, the Court of Appeal has finally indicated that a ruling would be handed down in short order.

The court, through registrar Stacie-Ann Reid, said in a letter to Kartel’s lead attorney, that it is in an ‘advanced stage’ of preparing the judgment.

The letter was sent on December 2 to Tom Tavares-Finson and copied to other attorneys in the case, stating that ‘as soon as it (the appeal) is ready and the court has set a delivery date, all parties will be duly notified.’

Bert Samuels, who represents Kartel’s co-convict Shawn Storm, said he is aware of the letter, however, he wished it has more details.

“Anxiety raised, that’s it. I wished they went further, but, anxiety raised,” he said adding that he is hoping for a positive outcome.

When our news team reached out to Valerie-Neita Robertson, who represents Palmer, she stated that she had not yet seen the letter, however, she expressed that she was excited at the news that the appeal is now at an advanced stage.

“That is extremely good news. It has been a long time, it has been a year. I know that they (the court) have been overloaded, so I am very happy to hear it is time. I am excited,” she said.

While she is still hoping that the verdict will be announced in December, she stated that she would be very surprised if this was actually done.

“If we are lucky, we will get it for December. They (the court) probably go up to the 20th of December and then they close for the Christmas occasion. If so, I expect it in the middle of January. So this is very good news. I am looking forward to it. When you work hard on a matter, which we did, we are eager to hear the results,” she said.

Vybz Kartel, and his co-accused Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John were convicted in 2014 for the 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

They were all given mandatory life sentences but the Fever deejay was ordered to serve 35 years before being eligible for parole.

Campbell, Jones and St John were ordered to each serve 25 years before they become eligible for parole.