UPDATE: Vybz Kartel's Trial in a Nutshell

With so many updates and information on the trial, it's difficult to keep up.



Here is a general update:

Adidja "Vybz Kartel" Palmer, Shawn “Storm” Campbell, Kahira Jones, André St John, and Shane Williams are on trial for the alleged murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, who authorities say was killed on August 16, 2011 over two missing guns belonging to the dancehall star.

1. The trial is expected to end this week (Feb. 17, 2014), according to Lennox Campbell, the presiding judge.

2. The last bit of evidence currently in the trial is a letter written by a star witness named Lamar Chow. A handwriting expert was recently called to the witness stand by the defense; he confirmed the letter was not fake, and was indeed written by Lamar Chow. The prosecution is arguing that the letter is a forgery, but the defense is saying it is legitimate. Here is the letter:

3. The Vybz Kartel Trial is now "The Longest Running Trial In Jamaica’s Court History." The prosecution presented a case over 45 days with 24 witness making their case that Kartel and his co-accused beat Clive “Lizard” Williams on August 16, 2011.

4. The body which has yet to be found.

6. Vybz Kartel's last statement to the court suggests that he is innocent of the crime he is accused of committed. Read below.

I am a normal person like anyone else. I am innocent of all these charges brought against me as a matter of fact I have never been to 7 Swallowfield Avenue and seen Lizard there – the man called Clive Williams. In fact my Lord, the only time I encountered that person called Clive Williams, is when he travelled with Shawn [co-accused Shawn Storm] to stage shows but we never encounter my Lord. My Lord, the incident that occurred on September 30, 2011 (the date of his arrest) I was at a hotel in New Kingston when the police took me and a female companion. My Lord they handcuffed us and took us downstairs in the lobby. Other police officers and members of the media were already there. My Lord after that [I] was taken to Central Kingston Police Station. After that the police escorted me to my house in St. Andrew, two houses as a matter of fact – one house at Swallow Avenue and then to my mother’s house in Portmore, St. Catherine – where the house was searched. I was then moved to Spanish Town Road. Even most recently, the Minister of National Security Minister, the Honourable Peter Bunting took my music and my image to the State, my Lord claiming that Vybz Kartel’s lyrics, My Lord, is generating scamming. Even in Jamaica at one point, the Minister said there were four essential factors mashing up Jamaica and I was one of them. My Lord, if that is not prejudicial against my case, I don’t know what is. My Lord, I bleach my skin, I am heavily tattooed also but that is merely superficial. That is a part of the persona of Vybz Kartel not Adidja Palmer. I am a normal person like anyone else; I even have a family who are here today… grandmother, cousin, mother-in law. My Lord my hands are clean of Clive Williams’ blood if indeed Clive Williams is deceased, My Lord. I have never sent anyone to kill Clive Williams, My Lord, nor did I do so myself. I am an innocent man, My Lord, that is all I have to say.

What will Vybz Kartel's fate be? Stay tuned.