Dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel is scheduled to appear in the Half-Way Tree Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning after being slapped yesterday with multiple charges, including murder and conspiracy to murder.
A release from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) last night indicated that Kartel, whose given name is Adidja Palmer, was also charged with illegal possession of firearm.
The police said the charges against Palmer were made following an interview with the entertainer yesterday afternoon by detectives from the Major Investigation Task Force in the presence of his attorneys
“The allegation is that on Monday, July 11, 2011, Palmer along with other men conspired to murder Barrington Burton, otherwise called ‘Bossie’, a 27-year-old businessman/promoter of a Gregory Park address in St Catherine,” the JCF said. “Burton was murdered while he was standing with friends along Walkers Avenue in Gregory Park.”
Last night, Palmer’s attorney, Christian Tavares-Finson, said he had not yet seen the case file and therefore could not speak in detail on the matter.
He declared, however, that his client was prepared to fight the charges.
When contacted before the JCF’s statement last night, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ealan Powell, who is in charge of the Criminal Investigation Branch, would only say that the artiste – who was arrested for possession of ganja last Friday – “is being investigated in relation to some offences”.
Two of the persons held with Palmer during his initial arrest, André St John and Shane Williams, are scheduled to appear in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court today.
The third person, Alicia Jackson, is booked to appear in court on Friday.
Meanwhile, officials from telecommunications provider LIME were last night discussing the situation and a statement was expected to be released today.
LIME is the corporate sponsor of the locally produced reality TV show Teacha’s Pet, which has Palmer as the main character. (Jamaica Gleaner)
