Sat | Jun 29, 2024

Vybz Kartel Retrial Hearing | Day 6: Court must free Kartel and his co-accused because of rights breaches - defence

Published:Tuesday | June 18, 2024 | 10:47 AM
Isat Buchanan.

The defence in the Vybz Kartel hearing says the best remedy to address the breaches of constitutional rights is to acquit the men of the charge of murder.

Attorney Isat Buchanan made the assertion today in the Court of Appeal in reply to submissions from the prosecution.

He said the Crown has failed to provide evidence to justify the breach of Kartel and his three co-accused's rights to a fair trial in a reasonable time.

The Crown has also admitted that a potential trial will likely perpetuate the breach.

Buchanan says the prosecution has "failed" to justify the breach, and in the absence of evidence "the court must acquit."

"The cumulative delay falls squarely on the state," he said, noting that the men have been before the courts since 2011.

Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, and his co-accused, Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John, are charged with the 2011 murder of Clive Williams in 2011.

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