Why was Vybz Kartel in jail? His charges, conviction, and release explained
The Jamaican dancehall star, famous for his chart-topping hits and bold persona, shocked fans worldwide when he was arrested and convicted of a serious crime. So, why was Vybz Kartel in jail? His high-profile case became one of the most talked-about in Jamaican history, involving charges of murder, a dramatic trial, and ongoing debates about justice and corruption.
Source: Facebook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- He was arrested in 2011 and convicted of murder in 2014 for the death of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
- In March 2024, his conviction was overturned by the UK Privy Council due to juror misconduct during the original trial.
- Kartel was officially released on July 31, 2024, after serving over 13 years in prison
- The Jamaican Court of Appeal ruled there would be no retrial, citing the time served and legal concerns.
Vybz Kartel's profile summary
| Full name | Adidja Azim Palmer |
| Nickname | Vybz Kartel, Worl, Boss, Teacha |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 7th January 1976 |
| Age | 49 years (as of 2025) |
| Place of birth | Portmore, Jamaica |
| Nationality | Jamaican |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height in feet | 6 0'' |
| Height in centimetres | 183 |
| Weight in pounds | 143 |
| Weight in kilograms | 65 |
| Body measurements in inches | 35-34-34 |
| Body measurements in centimetres | 89-86-86 |
| Shoe size | 10 (US) |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Mother | Teresa Palmer |
| Father | Norris Palmer |
| Siblings | One (Maureen Palmer Nelson) |
| Relationship status | Engaged |
| Partner | Sidem Ozturk |
| Children | Little Addi, Little Vybz, World Boss Jr., and Adi'Anna Ashanti Palmer |
| School | Calabar High School |
| Profession | Jamaican dancehall DJ, singer, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur |
| Net worth | $1 million |
Why was Vybz Kartel in jail?
Vybz was in jail for the alleged murder of Clive Williams, commonly known as Lizard. He was arrested in September 2011 and, after a lengthy trial, was convicted in 2014 and sentenced to life in prison.
What made Vybz Kartel be jailed?
The singer was jailed because he was found guilty of organising and participating in the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams. Below is everything about his murder charges;
First alleged murder
On 29th September 2011, the Jamaican singer was arrested by the authorities for possession of an illicit drug. Later, the Jamaican Major Investigation Taskforce (MIT) charged him with the murder of Jamaican businessman Barrington Burton, conspiracy, and illegal firearm possession.
Source: Original
While in prison, he published a book, The Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto: Incarcerated but not Silenced. He co-wrote the book with his business associate, Michael Dawson. On 23rd March, he was granted bail for JMD 3,000,000.
Second alleged murder
Even though Vybz Kartel was granted bail, he remained in prison in connection with a second murder. He was accused of killing Clive Williams in August 2011 at his home in Havendale, Kingston. The singer allegedly summoned the victim and another man for failing to return two of his unlicensed firearms on an agreed-upon date.
A few days later, his house burned down, and Clive was never seen again. During Vybz's trial, Lamar Chow, a witness, testified to seeing Clive lying motionless on the ground in the singer's house. The prosecutors claimed Clive was murdered over the lost guns, citing messages before the alleged murder as evidence.
Trail and charges
Initially, the Jamaican singer's trial was scheduled for 21st January 2013, but it was postponed due to a lack of jurors. It was rescheduled for 11th July, the same year. On 24th July, he was found not guilty of murdering Barrington Burton but remained in custody pending the second alleged murder case.
The Jamaican DJ was charged alongside two others, including Vanessa Saddler. They were charged with perverting the course of justice after Vanessa allegedly claimed Clive had robbed her to mislead the authorities into believing that he was still alive.
Kartel's trial for the murder of his associate Clive began on 18th November 2013. How long did the trial last? The trial lasted 65 days. It ended on 13th March 2014 and is said to have been the longest trial in Jamaica's history.
What was Vybz Kartel's conviction?
Vybz and three others, Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John, were all convicted of murder. In one of the most high-profile trials in Jamaica and across the globe, the 11-member jury found Vybz Kartel and three co-defendants guilty of murdering an associate over a missing gun.
The singer was sentenced to life imprisonment on 3rd April 2014. Justice Lennox Campbell added that he would only be eligible for parole after serving 35 years of his sentence. Before the sentence, he had been in jail for roughly three years awaiting trial.
Vybz Kartel's appeal and release
Despite being in jail since 2011, the singer's legal team worked day and night to overturn the ruling with the following arguments:
- Messages used as evidence were unlawfully obtained
- The prosecution's case was flawed and full of discrepancies
- The case had missing witness statements
In addition, the singer's lawyers aired their concerns about how allegations regarding one of the jury members' misconduct were handled during the trial. According to the BBC, a juror tried bribing the others in exchange for manipulating their decision.
The defence team argued that the juror should have been removed from Vybz Kartel's trial and that the alleged misconduct led to the singer's conviction.
Why was Vybz Kartel freed?
He was freed from prison after judges decided he shouldn't face a retrial for murder. The London court agreed with Kartel's defence team by ruling that the decision not to throw off the corrupt juror made the conviction unsafe.
In 2020, during the first appeal, the Court of Appeal in Jamaica reduced the trio's sentences as follows:
- Vybz would spend 32 years and six months before parole instead of 35 years
- Shawn Campbell and Kahira Jones's sentences were changed to 22 years, six months
- Andre St John's sentence was fixed at 27 years and six months
Kartel's murder conviction was completely overturned during the second appeal. On 14th March 2024, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council overturned the conviction due to the juror issue. However, the Jamaican Court of Appeal decided not to take him for another retrial.
How long has Vybz been in jail?
The Jamaican DJ stayed behind bars for 13 years. He had been in jail since 29th September 2011 and was released on 31st July 2024 along with three others. The Jamaica Court of Appeal declined to retry Vybz Kartel's case due to expenses, time passage, and Vybz's deteriorating health.
Who is Vybz Kartel's new wife?
Source: Getty Images
Vybz Kartel is currently not married, but he is engaged to his long-time partner, Sidem Öztürk, who is expected to become his wife soon. The Jamaican dancehall icon, born Adidja Palmer, proposed to Öztürk twice—first during a 2022 prison visit, and again publicly in November 2024, calling her his “#1 Wife” in a heartfelt Instagram announcement.
The couple first connected in 2015 while he was incarcerated, and since his release in July 2024, they’ve started a YouTube channel together and are preparing for a wedding expected in early 2025.
What happened to the Vybz Kartel face?
Fans and the media have noticed a striking change in Vybz Kartel’s appearance since his release, especially around his face. These changes are due to his ongoing battle with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder.
What kind of sickness does Vybz Kartel have?
Vybz Kartel suffers from Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes his thyroid to overproduce hormones, resulting in symptoms like a visibly swollen face and neck, bulging eyes, weight loss, and fatigue. He is also battling a serious heart condition—his heart has lost about 20% of its function.
On surviving prison illness, he said;
“Coming from prison, 13 years, still battling with my illness and the love that the people show me, man, if it's not God, I don't know who it is.”
When is Vybz Kartel coming back?
He is already back on stage—and just getting started. Expect more high-energy performances throughout summer and fall 2025 on his “World’ Boss Tour.”
He kicked off 2025 with a triumphant New Year's Eve “Freedom Street” concert at Kingston’s National Stadium—marking his first live performance since being freed in July 2024.
In April 2025, he headlined his first U.S. shows in over 20 years at Brooklyn’s Barclays Centre. Upcoming shows include stops in Baltimore, London (Wireless Festival), Manchester, Paris, and his home turf in Montego Bay for Reggae Sumfest.
Where is Vybz Kartel right now?
He is living in Florida, USA, having relocated there following his release from prison in July 2024. He confirmed during an appearance on The Breakfast Club that he now makes his home in Florida, citing the strategic location as ideal for travel to major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and London.
“I live here, sir. I live in Florida… I spent 13 years [locked up], I need to go out now. And Florida is good because it’s a hub—you can come to New York, you can go across the Atlantic... It’s just a nice place to be geographically, where I can just move.”
How much is Vybz Kartel worth?
Source: Instagram
Vybz Kartel’s net worth in 2025 is $1 million. These earnings reflect his multi-pronged sources: royalties from music streaming and old hits, earnings through his label (Adidjahiem Records), recent sales from post-release performances and merchandise, and business ventures like Street Vybz Rum.
Vybz Kartel news latest
Vybz Kartel is making major headlines in 2025 after his release from prison. He recently launched his “Worl’ Boss Summer 2025 Tour,” performing across the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean, including big venues like Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, Paris, London’s Wireless Festival, and Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay.
In addition to touring, Vybz Kartel has dropped new music, including the hit single “Pretty Girl” and a surprise gospel track called “Glory of Jesus,” showing a fresh side of his artistry. He’s also in talks to headline a huge concert in Ghana this December, marking his return to Africa for the first time in his career.
FAQs about Vybz Kartel
- Who is Vybz Kartel? He is a Jamaican dancehall DJ, singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur. His real name is Adidja Azim Palmer.
- What is Vybz Kartel famous for? He is famous for his chart-topping hit releases, including Romping Shop, Dollar Sign, and Clarks.
- How old is Vybz Kartel? He was born on January 7, 1976, which makes him 49 years old as of July 2025
- What was Vybz Kartel jailed for? The singer was sentenced to life imprisonment for the alleged murder of Clive Williams, one of his associates.
- Who is Vybz Kartel's fiancée? He is engaged to Sidem Ozturk, who is of Kurdish descent. They got engaged when the singer was still behind bars.
- When was Vybz Kartel released from prison? He was released on 31st July 2024. He spent around 13 years in prison as he was arrested on 29th September 2011.
- Why was Vybz Kartel released? The Jamaican DJ was released from jail after the Court of Appeal declined to retry him for the 2014 murder conviction. They cited expense, time passage, and his declining health condition.
- What kind of sickness does Vybz Kartel have? Kartel has been living with Graves' disease and a heart condition since 2016. The former is an autoimmune disorder that causes overproduction of thyroid hormones.
- How many children does Vybz Kartel have? The singer has four kids: Little Addi, Little Vybz, World Boss Jr., and Adi'Anna Ashanti Palmer.
Why was Vybz Kartel in jail? The Jamaican singer was in jail for the alleged murder of his associate Clive Williams. He was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 32 and a half years. However, after a second appeal, the murder conviction was overturned when judges declined to retry his case. He was released on 31st July 2024 after serving 13 years.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
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