Jamaican entertainer Vybz Kartel freed of murder charge

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Thursday July 25, 2013 – A court on Wednesday freed entertainer Vybz Kartel of a charge of murder less than 24 hours after the presiding judge had ruled that the statements of two witnesses were inadmissible.

Kartel, whose real name is Adidjah Palmer, as well as Lenburgh McDonald and Nigel Thompson were on trial for the July 12, 2011 shooting death of businessman Barrington “Bossie” Bryan.

Court observers said the prosecution’s case had hinged on the statements given by the two witnesses, noting that the only option left open to the prosecution was to offer no further evidence, a position which was adopted on Wednesday.

As a result, Supreme Court judge Bryan Sykes instructed the 12-member jury to return the verdicts of not guilty.

Justice Skyes Tuesday had turned down an application by the prosecution to admit the statements of the two witnesses, ruling he was not convinced that the prosecution took enough steps to locate the witnesses.

The entertainer is due to return to court in November in relation to the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.