KINGSTON, Jamaica — Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop says the decision on whether or not to retry Vybz Kartel and his co-accused will come no later than July when the court term is scheduled to end.

McDonald-Bishop made the announcement following the rebuttal of defence attorneys Isat Buchanan and John Clarke.

Addressing the court, McDonald-Bishop said, “Now the hard work is to begin.”

McDonald-Bishop told the court that the question of a retrial is never an easy matter, especially when a serious offence has been committed and a lengthy time has passed.

“You have given us a lot to think about,” she continued, adding that the court is mindful of all issues, especially Kartel’s health concerns.

She said the decision will be handed down no later than the end of the term in July.

Kartel, Shawn Storm, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John were charged with the September 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

The Court of Appeal upheld their convictions in 2020. However, on March 14, 2024, the United Kingdom-based Privy Council, Jamaica’s final court of appeal, overturned the convictions on the grounds of juror misconduct.

Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, along with Justices Paulette Williams and David Fraser, will decide the case.

— Kelsey Thomas