In the heat of anticipation surrounding incarcerated dancehall luminaries Vybz Kartel and Shawn Storm’s final appeal, Kartel has taken to social media to extend gratitude to his legal team, seemingly aimed at clarifying recent media speculations. The deejay’s acknowledgement comes amidst a flurry of public discussions sparked by statements made by legal figures not directly involved in his case.
In an Instagram post on Friday evening, the Gaza artiste, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, singled out his legal representatives, expressing appreciation for their efforts in his ongoing appeal before the UK Privy Council. Kartel’s social media update listed his attorneys, including Isat Buchanan, John Clarke, Alessandra LaBeach, David Hislop, Julian Malins, and Hugh Southey, affirming their involvement in his legal proceedings.
“Big up the actual lawyers on this appeal. Isat Buchanan. John Clarke, Alessandra LaBeach, David Hislop, Julian Malins & Hugh Southey.” The post read, accompanied by the caption, “Nuh Auto Parts……#freedom24 #GodnTime.”
The timing of Kartel’s post and its specific mention of his legal team appears to address recent commentary from individuals not formally associated with his case. Notably absent from Kartel’s acknowledgement was attorney Bert Samuels, whose public remarks regarding the potentiality of a retrial and the timeline of the appeal process had garnered attention in local media circles.
The omission of Samuels from Kartel’s recognition, combined with the artiste’s cryptic phrase “nuh auto parts,” which some speculate to be a veiled reference to Samuels, playing on the name of the popular auto store ‘Berts Auto Parts’, has fueled further speculation of discontent between the attorney and the entertainer. However, neither party has explicitly addressed any purported discord.
On Friday, the Privy Council announced that the eagerly awaited verdict in Kartel’s appeal will be delivered via a live stream on Thursday, March 14, heightening anticipation among fans and legal observers alike. The outcome of the appeal holds significant implications for Kartel and his co-accused, Shawn Campbell (Shawn Storm), Kahira Jones, and Andre St John, whose convictions for the 2014 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams are under scrutiny.
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