Vybz Kartel: How a Juror Scandal Overturned His Murder Conviction

Vybz Kartel: How a Juror Scandal Overturned His Murder Conviction Vybz Kartel received a life sentence in 2014. In July 2024, he walked free. How did one of dancehall’s biggest stars go from a murder conviction to release—and what role did a juror’s attempted bribery play? This Yard Files documentary follows Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer from his rise in Portmore and the Gully–Gaza rivalry to the Clive “Lizard” Williams case, the disputed phone evidence, and the legal decisions that changed his future. We explain the prosecution’s case, the defence’s challenges, why the Privy Council overturned the convictions in March 2024, and why Jamaica’s Court of Appeal later decided against a retrial and entered acquittals. The story also explores Kartel’s continuing music career during his imprisonment and his return to the stage after almost thirteen years behind bars. Allegations, trial evidence and court findings are distinguished throughout. The convictions were overturned on fair-trial grounds relating to juror misconduct. Subscribe to Yard Files for documentaries exploring Jamaican music, criminal cases and the real stories behind the headlines. KEY CASE SOURCES Privy Council — judgment summary: https://jcpc.uk/cases/press-summary/j... Jamaica Gleaner — Court of Appeal’s decision against a retrial: https://past.jamaica-gleaner.com/arti... #VybzKartel #Dancehall #YardFiles