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Vybz Kartel will reportedly remain behind bars despite his murder conviction recently being overturned.
According to Caribbean National Weekly, Judge Andrea Thomas made the ruling on Thursday, May 30. Judge Thomas’ decision will not only apply to Kartel but also to his three co-defendants.
Judge Thomas reportedly believes that although Kartel’s murder conviction has been overturned, “the issue of the retrial is pending.” Therefore, “the charge of murder still remains in effect.”
“I find that their present custodial status is not in breach of the constitution,” Judge Thomas reportedly stated per the outlet.
According to DancehallMag, attorney Lisa White explained the decision further.
“It is lawful for them to remain detained until the Appeal Court decides the matter. Although the convictions have been quashed, the charges still stand. They are still charged with murder, and the prosecution remains active,” White explained. “The quashing of their convictions means that the existing charges could be presented at a new trial. The applicants will not be rearrested or recharged, as the Privy Council did not acquit them but indicated that the convictions were unsafe.”
Caribbean National Weekly adds that on June 10, the Court of Appeal will begin determining whether Kartel will face a retrial in the murder case. The outlet adds that it will take the Court of Appeal five days to come to a conclusion.
Social media users reacted to the recent ruling on Kartel’s fate in The Shade Room’s comment section.
As The Shade Room previously reported, Kartel was sentenced to life in prison in 2014 after being convicted of the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
In March, a judge overturned Kartel’s murder conviction after it was discovered that one of the jurors on the artist’s original trial was bribed. At the time, Kartel’s case was redirected to the Court of Appeal.
According to Caribbean National Weekly, Kartel shared a statement after his conviction was overturned and expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would release him and his codefendants without a retrial.
“I am confident that the Court of Appeal in Jamaica will do the right thing in the name of equity, fairness, and justice and free us. Some people have expressed their concern to me that a retrial may be ordered, but to them, I say (albeit with my limited knowledge of the law), ‘What is there to retry?'” he reportedly explained.
DancehallMag adds that Kartel also reiterated his innocence and shared his desire to go home to his family, whom he hasn’t seen in over a decade. Furthermore, Kartel explained that he wasn’t “the least bit worried” because he believed he would be acquitted.
