Trial of Kartel, co-accused now set for December 3
THE murder trial of jailed entertainer Vybz Kartel and his two coaccused was Monday postponed until December 3.
The trial was set to start in the Home Circuit court but was rescheduled as the prosecution said it was not ready.
The defence, represented by attorneys Tom and Chris Tavares-Finson and Michael Deans, however, indicated its readiness to Justice Donald McIntosh.
The entertainer, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, has been in custody since last year September following his arrest at a Corporate Area hotel. He is being tried along with Nigel Thompson and Lenburgh McDonald for the July 2011 shooting death of Barrington ‘Bossie’ Bryan.
Bryan was shot to death in his community of Gregory Park, St Catherine, by men travelling in a motor car.
The artiste, decked in an orange shirt with matching tie and brown jacket, seemed in a cheerful mood and had light conversation with his coaccused as they sat in the prisoner’s dock for about 25 minutes, waiting on the case to be called up on Monday.
Kartel is on $3-million bail in relation to that charge but he is being held in custody as he is facing another charge of murder for the August 2011 beating death of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams, for which he is to be tried in November.
Others to be tried with him in that killing in Havendale, St Andrew are Calvin Hay, entertainer Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Andre St John, Kahira Jones, and Shane Williams.
Williams was allegedly killed over a missing gun that was left in his care.
Meanwhile, the controversial artiste, along with Vanessa ‘Gaza Slim’ Saddler and Andre ‘Pim-Pim’ Henry is to be tried in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court on November 12 on a charge of perverting the course of justice in relation to the Williams murder.
Kartel is also facing a ganja possession charge.
