KINGSTON, Jamaica — Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Claudette Thompson says the court system should be able to accommodate a retrial of entertainer Vybz Kartel and his co-accused by 2025.

Thompson was arguing the point regarding the length of time that has elapsed between the alleged offence and a new trial.

Her initial parallels were to cases which were tried by a judge alone, however the argument was struck down by Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop who noted that this case would involve a jury which would make the process more hectic.

Thompson had also stated that a retrial could even be as early as the next court term which begins in September 2024 but this was challenged by McDonald-Bishop who pointed to a burdened court system.

“How?” McDonald-Bishop questioned.

“Some matters are treated with priority,” Thompson answered.

Vybz Kartel, real name Adidja Palmer; Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell; Kahira Jones; and Andre St John were convicted of the September 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

Lawyers representing the quartet made an appeal to the local Court of Appeal in 2020 but their convictions were upheld.

The accused appeal was then taken to the United Kingdom-based Privy Council and on March 14, 2024, had their murder convictions overturned on the grounds of juror misconduct.

The Privy Council had also remitted the case back to the Jamaica Court of Appeal to decide whether or not there should be a retrial.

The retrial hearing began on Monday and is expected to end on Friday.

— Kelsey Thomas