KINGSTON – Vybz Kartel’s mother believes that her son was set up by the police and done a further injustice when a jury last Thursday convicted him and three of four co-accused of murder.
?Teresa Palmer shared the sentiment with the Jamaica Observer a day after Vybz Kartel (real name Adidja Palmer) and friends Shawn Shawn Storm Campbell, Andre St John and Kahira Jones were convicted in the Home Circuit Court for the August 16, 2011 murder of their friend Clive Lizard Williams over the disappearance of two illegal guns. Shane Williams, the fourth co-accused, was acquitted at the end of the five-month-long trial.
Sitting on the verandah of her Portmore, St Catherine home under the gaze of a massive banner of her entertainer son, Palmer – who asked not to be photographed – displayed a range of emotions while talking about her boy and the case.
Her three adult daughters and a family friend looking on, Palmer’s face was a mixture of disgust and anger. She broke into tears as she reflected on her son’s conviction. But her eyes lit up, and she laughed at times, as she recollected his cutting of classes to go to recording studios and his love of music and reading. Palmer also recalled fondly the time when Vybz Kartel, at 11 years of age, made soup seasoned with curry for her when she was sick in bed.
“I long to see him,” Palmer said, adding that her son had been insistent on her not visiting him in lock-up over the two years he’s been there.
“He thinks I’m going to cry. If he tells me to come I would go visit him. You know where I want to visit him?” she asked, then answered: “At his house.”
Palmer said her son had been targeted because of his music and image.
Morine Nelson, Vybz Kartel’s sister, who gave character evidence in the trial and who was sitting in on the interview with her mother, said sarcastically that she was waiting to see a reduction in crime now that her brother had been convicted.
Her remark was in relation to comments by Security Minister Peter Bunting that Vybz Kartel’s music promoted crime. (Observer)
