Jamaican Rapper Vybz Kartel Found Guilty Of Murder

Embattled Jamaican rapper, songwriter and dancehall performer Vybz Kartel was found guilty on March 13 of the August, 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams. Three out of four of Vybz’s accused associates were also found guilty in Clive’s fatal beating.

Clive’s murder allegedly took place at Vybz’s home in Havendale, St Andrew. His body was never found. An eleven-member jury decided the fate of Vybz and his associates in less than two hours in a 10-1 decision.

Vybz’s associates, Shawn Campbell(a.k.a. Shawn Storm), Kahira Jonesand Andre St. John, were also found guilty in the brutal killing. A fourth associate, Shane Williams, was the only accused to be found not guilty.

The trial, which lasted for 65 days, is the “longest running criminal hearing in the history of Jamaica’s circuit court system,” according to Billboard magazine.

Vybz, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, will be given a sentence in court on March 27, but his lawyers have said that they are planning to appeal the verdict.

Vybz, who has worked with such artists as Jay Z, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Eminem and Lil Wayne, also recently stood trial for the murder of St. Catherine businessman Barrington ‘Bossy’ Burton early in 2013. He was found not guilty.

Kartel once came under controversy over perceived skin bleaching.