Dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel and three others have been found guilty of the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, marking the end to a keenly watched trial that has lasted 65 days.
Initially, the 11-member jury deliberated for 1 hour and 53 minutes before returning a 10-1 verdict. They were sent back to reconsider because the verdict was not unanimous and was reached under two hours.
The jurors then went back to consider the matter before again returning to the courtroom.
Adidja Palmer – GUILTY
Shawn Campbell – GUILTY
Kahira Jones – GUILTY
Shane Williams – Not GUILTY
Andre St John – GUILTY
Kartel, 38, whose real name is Adidja Palmer and his co-accused went on trial Nov. 20 in the Home Circuit Court.
The accused had been in custody since September 2011.
They were charged with the murder of 27-year-old Williams, of Waterford, St Catherine.
The Crown represented by senior deputy director of public prosecutions, Jeremy Taylor, and Crown Counsel Leighton Morris alleged that on Aug. 16, 2011 ‘Lizard’ was beaten to death at Kartel’s house at 7 Swallowfield Ave., Havendale, St Andrew over two missing guns.
The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence and common design to prove its case against the men.
Those found guilty are to return to court for sentencing on March 27.
Kartel and five other men had been charged with Williams’ murder, but at the start of the trial in November last year, the fifth co-accused, fashion designer, Calvin Haye, was freed after the Crown offered no evidence against him.
Source: jamaica-gleaner.com
