ATTORNEYS representing dancehall artistes Vybz Kartel and Shawn Storm are to continue challenging their clients’ conviction in the Court of Appeal in downtown Kingston today.
The hearing is set for one week.
Last Monday the team of Tom Tavares-Finson, Valerie Neita-Robertson, and Bert Samuels began the appeal to overturn the 2014 conviction of the artistes in relation to the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
Tavares-Finson said the team was delighted with the decision by the panel of justices hearing the matter to admit two of the three applications for fresh evidence to be admitted, as put forward by the legal team.
“It was an excellent day in court,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “Both applications are critical and have been accepted by the courts, and we look forward to proceeding with matters on Monday.”
Neither of the appellants exercised his right to appear in court.
Vybz Kartel, whose given name is Adidja Palmer, and Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell are jointly charged with Kahira Jones and Andre St John for the murder of Williams. At the end of the trial, which lasted 65 days, the four were convicted by an 11-member jury and received life sentences.
Vybz Kartel will be eligible for parole after serving 35 years; Campbell and Jones are to serve 30 years before parole can be considered; while St John will have to do 30 years.