Privy Council denies application to introduce new evidence in Vybz Kartel murder appeal

Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel has had his application to introduce new evidence to support his murder trial denied by the United Kingdom-based Privy Council.

He was trying to get the court to admit fresh information from an expert witness in relation to cell phone evidence.

The phone was examined in Jamaica in the presence of the prosecution and according to reports from the Jamaica Gleaner, after reviewing the submission, the court rejected the application.

The substantial appeal is still to be heard, however.

In 2011, Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, and fellow entertainer Shawn Storm, real name Shawn Campbell, as well as Kahira Jones and Andre St John were convicted in 2014 for killing Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams

Williams’ body was never recovered.

Kartel was ordered to serve 35 years before he is eligible for parole while Shawn Storm’s parole eligibility period was set at 25 years.

St John and Jones will have to serve 30 and 25 years respectively before they are eligible for parole.