Attorney-at-law Isat Buchanan has officially confirmed that the Privy Council in the United Kingdom has granted an expedited hearing for his client, Adidja ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer. The new hearing date is set for February 14 and 15. This development comes after an initial tentative date of April 16 to 18, 2024, was disclosed by the UK Privy Council for the appeal of Vybz Kartel and Shawn Campbell, widely known as Shawn Storm, alongside two other appellants.
The decision to expedite the hearing process was prompted by concerns for Mr. Palmer’s medical well-being. Earlier this year, he experienced a health scare while in solitary confinement at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston, where he is incarcerated. Reports emerged in May alleging that Vybz Kartel was being subjected to unfair treatment, including a 23-hour lockdown and inadequate ventilation in his cell.
Isat Buchanan, representing Vybz Kartel, expressed his concerns over the potential impact of these conditions on his client’s health. He emphasized that undue stress that worsens Mr. Palmer’s medical condition would constitute a violation of his rights. Buchanan also noted that a claim addressing these issues was in the works, pending further clarity from the court.
Adidja ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams, is set to be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 35 years in prison. With the expedited hearing date now confirmed, the legal proceedings surrounding his case are expected to take centre stage in the coming months.
