ST CATHERINE, Jamaica— Residents of the ‘Gaza’ community in Portmore, St Catherine burst into cheers after hearing that the murder convictions of Vybz Kartel and his co-accused were quashed by the Privy Council.

After the ruling, a woman who goes by the name ‘Gaza Michelle’ was seen screaming and declaring that she knew he would be eventually freed.

“Mi know! God a God! Ms Lucky dream me and tell me say me fi go look fi him and tell him say him a go free,” she shouted until her voice became hoarse.

Another resident was heard saying, “Him nuh derseve this. Free world boss.”

The Privy Council has ordered that incarcerated dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel and his three co-accused have their convictions quashed for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

“The judicial committee of the Privy Council has unanimously concluded that the appeals should be allowed and the appellants’ convictions should be quashed on the grounds of juror misconduct and that the case should be remitted to the Court of Appeal to decide whether to order a retrial of the appellants for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams,” the Privy Council stated.

READ: Conviction Quashed: Privy Council sends Kartel case back to local Appeal Court

Palmer, entertainer Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John, were sentenced to life imprisonment for their involvement in the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams a decade ago.

However, the residents believe that he will eventually be freed from his conviction when the matter is brought before the Appeal Court in Jamaica.

Many argue that significant portions of the 64-day trial of the four men violated their constitutional rights, resulting in an unjust trial. Despite their appeal to the Court of Appeal three years later, their convictions were upheld.

However, they were later granted permission to present their case before the Privy Council, the highest judicial body in the Jamaican legal system.

The appellants, on February 14 and 15, presented arguments questioning whether trial judge Lennox Campbell should have admitted telecommunication evidence, obtained in a manner allegedly violating Palmer’s constitutional right to privacy, into the trial. Another ground for appeal was the judge’s refusal to dismiss the jury or the accused juror following allegations of attempted bribery.

The appellants also asserted that the jury experienced unwarranted pressure to reach a verdict, despite the forewoman previously informing the judge on the same day of their inability to achieve unanimity.

-Candice Haughton