Incarcerated dancehall artiste Adidja ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer has been granted an expedited hearing regarding his murder conviction appeal by the Privy Council, Jamaica’s final appellate court.

“The date is confirmed as the 14 and 15 of February 2024 following the granting of an application for expedited hearing. The application was made after Mr Palmer’s health scare when placed in solitary confinement earlier this year,” Isat Buchanan, the attorney at law representing Kartel, told Observer Online.

FOX5NY reported earlier this year that Kartel was suffering from the autoimmune disorder Graves’ disease which, coupled with two alleged heart conditions, makes his situation “life-threatening”.

READ: Kartel reportedly battling Graves’ disease, heart conditions

His condition was allegedly exacerbated by a 23-hour prison lockdown placed on the deejay following the discovery of cell phones within his cell.

The Summertime deejay has had many medical scares over the past decade, often necessitating trips to medical institutions such as the Kingston Public Hospital and the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Kartel is currently serving a life sentence following his murder conviction in relation to the death of Clive “Lizard” Williams in April 2014. He will be eligible for parole after 32 years and six months.

Kartel’s co-accused, Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell and Kahira Jones, are to serve 22 years and six months before they are eligible for parole, while Andre St John will do 27 years and six months before qualifying for eligibility.

– Claude Mills