In good news for the artist, Vybz Kartel has been granted leave by the Jamaican Court of Appeal to come to the UK to appeal his conviction at the UK’s Privy Council.
Earlier this year, Vybz Kartel spoke to Billboard Magazine about the appeal and his decision to contest his sentencing – with the artist arguing that he was subject to an unfair trial.
Kartel said, “I would like to say re the Privy Council that I am going to be out soon. Law and statute are what the council deals in, not corruption. The appeal hearing in Jamaica, just like the trial, was a joke, a kangaroo court, a circus.”
He also added, “Being in prison for the last nine years definitely took a toll on my family, my parents and especially my kids, early on.”
Following his granted leave, Kartel and co-accused Shawn Storm must file case documents within 90 days.
They must then rely on their legal team who hope to prove to the UK’s Privy Council that they should be exonerated of their murder convictions.
Accusations of corruption and evidence tampering were rife in this case. One of the jurors was arrested and accused of bribery and there were criticisms over the handling of evidence.
Should this UK Privy Council appeal be successful, it could result in Vybz Kartel becoming a free man.