Vybz Kartel Freed After 12 Years in Prison — Find Out Why

Jamaican dancehall artist Adidja Palmer, better known as Vybz Kartel, has regained his freedom after spending 12 years in prison.

Kartel, along with Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Andre St John, and Kahira Jones, was originally convicted in 2014 for the 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams and sentenced to life in prison.

Their convictions were overturned by the Privy Council in March 2024 due to juror misconduct. This decision led to an appeal on whether a retrial should occur.

On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal of Jamaica, led by Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, ruled against a retrial, ending a nearly 13-year legal battle.

While Vybz Kartel, Campbell, and St John are now free, Jones remains in custody due to a sentence in an unrelated case. Kartel celebrated his release by sharing a video with his wife, captioning it: “Am out! Me and wifey.”