Isat Buchanan, the attorney representing Adidja ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer, has arrived in Britain and is ready to do battle as he advocates for the entertainer’s appeal before the United Kingdom-based Privy Council, scheduled for February 14 and 15, 2024. Kartel, currently serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams, is seeking redress primarily on grounds related to jury management issues, including the alleged tampering with jurors and the handling of telecommunication evidence.
Buchanan emphasized several pivotal points in Kartel’s defence strategy, notably questioning the validity of the telecommunication evidence presented by the prosecution, which the defence contends breached Kartel’s right to privacy under Jamaican law. Central to the appeal is the argument that police acquisition of telecom data violated constitutional rights and statutory provisions.
The defence further aims to challenge the trial judge’s decision not to discharge the jury following allegations of attempted bribery despite subsequent convictions related to the tampering. Additionally, Buchanan intends to argue the appropriateness of the judge’s timing in urging the jury to reach a verdict, given the complexity and gravity of the case.
The urgency of Kartel’s appeal was compounded by his deteriorating health, exacerbated by conditions during incarceration, including solitary confinement. Despite tentative dates for the appeal, expedited proceedings were granted on humanitarian grounds due to Kartel’s battle with Graves’ disease.
As the case heads to the Privy Council, a panel of five justices will hear arguments from both sides, including Kartel’s plea to overturn his life sentence alongside his co-appellants, Shawn’ Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre’ Mad Suss’ St John.
