Defence argues 'no case' in Kartel trial
Published:Tuesday | February 11, 2014 | 12:00 AM
The Crown closed its case yesterday at the trial of entertainer Vybz Kartel, who is charged jointly with four other men for the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams, of Waterford, St Catherine.
Defence lawyers began making no-case submissions and, when the trial resumes today, the submissions will continue.
Justice Lennox Campbell has asked the 11-member jury to return at 2 p.m. today as the submissions are being made in their absence.
Defence lawyer Tom Tavares-Finson yesterday asked the judge for a subpoena to be issued for Public Defender Earl Witter, in relation to a letter which was delivered to Witter's office allegedly bearing the signature of the Crown's main prosecution witness. The witness has denied writing that letter.
Two senior police officers were summoned to the Home Circuit Court yesterday following complaints by Tavares-Finson about the publication of two newspaper articles over the weekend.
Campbell said a lot of resources had been expended in the case and he did not want anything to be done to jeopardise the trial.
Senior Superintendent Cornwall Ford, who was a witness in the case, was recalled based on an interview he had given. He was cross-examined by Tavares-Finson.
PRESS RELEASE CONCERNS
Deputy Superintendent Steve Brown, head of the Corporate Communications Unit, was questioned by the judge in relation to a press release which made mention of a high-profile case.
The judge advised Brown that for the duration of the trial, he did not want his organisation to make any mention of high-profile cases.
Brown, in responding, said mention was made of a high- profile case in the press release because there were several high-profile cases before the court.
"You should not do so in any case," Tavares-Finson remarked.
Defence lawyers had previously raised concerns about information released by the police in relation to the vandalism of Digicel property.
The Crown, represented by prosecutors Jeremy Taylor and Leighton Williams, is alleging that Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer; entertainer Shawn Campbell, popularly known as 'Shawn Storm'; Kahira Jones; Shane Williams; and André St John, also called 'Madsus', murdered Williams on August 16, 2011.
It is being alleged that Williams was beaten to death at Kartel's house in Havendale, St Andrew, over two missing guns.