Vybz Kartel Appeal Case at the Privy Council Not Over Yet!

 

Paula Llewelyn
Director of Public Prosecution

Below this paragraph, is the  text  from a press release received from the Director of Public Prosecution, Ms. Paula Llewelyn, today. Below the DPP's press release is another document which has been circulating about the same appeal case. There has been some amount of public misunderstanding as to what had happened to this case at the Privy Council in the UK.

DPP Press Release:

PRIVY COUNCIL REFUSES THE APPELLANT’S APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO

ARGUE ADDITIONAL GROUNDS IN THE CASE OF 

SHAWN CAMPBELL, ADIDJA PALMER, KAHIRA JONES, AND ANDRE ST. JOHN

VS 

THE KING

 

In order to bring clarity to the decision of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council dated February 15, 2023 relative to the captioned matter, given its high public interest, the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions(ODPP) will outline the relevant sequence of events that took place and its outcome. 

 

The Court of Appeal of Jamaica had previously granted the Appellants, leave to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council against their conviction and sentence. While awaiting the outcome of their appeal, two (2) further applications were made to the Privy Council consequent on their attorneys’ court sanctioned examination of the cellular phone exhibit by their expert which was done in the presence of the Crown’s expert in Jamaica. 

 

The first application by the Appellants’ attorneys sought to adduce fresh evidence in order to establish that there was improper interference with the cellular phone of the second appellant, Adidja Palmer, while it was in the custody of the police.   

 

The second application on behalf of Mr. Palmer, sought the permission of the Privy Council, to advance additional grounds of appeal, in respect of which leave had not been previously granted by the Court

of Appeal of Jamaica.   

 

The Crown/Respondent was represented at the Privy Council by Counsel from Charles Russell Speechly’s with local assistance from Counsel in the Privy Council Unit of the ODPP.

 

By Order dated 15 February 2023, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, having considered the written submissions of the Appellants and the Respondent, refused both applications.

 

The determination of these two (2) applications now sets the stage for the full hearing of the substantive appeal against conviction and sentence at a future date to be appointed by the Privy Council.

 

Signed 

Paula V. Lewellyn K.C

Director of Public Prosecutions 

Document being sent around on social media: