How long was Vybz Kartel in jail?

Last reviewed: June 2026

Quick answer: Dancehall star Vybz Kartel (real name Adidja Palmer) spent roughly 13 years in custody in Jamaica — from his arrest in 2011 until his release on 31 July 2024. He was convicted of murder in 2014 and given a life sentence, but in March 2024 the UK’s Judicial Committee of the Privy Council quashed the conviction over juror misconduct, and Jamaica’s Court of Appeal then declined to order a retrial, so he was freed.

Vybz Kartel is one of dancehall’s most influential artists, and his long imprisonment and dramatic release have been followed by fans worldwide. This page explains, factually, what he was convicted of, how long he was actually held, and why he is now a free man.

What was Vybz Kartel convicted of?

In March 2014, a Jamaican court convicted Kartel of the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, an associate who was last seen in 2011. Three co-defendants — Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John — were convicted alongside him. Kartel was sentenced to life imprisonment, originally ordered to serve a minimum term of 35 years before parole eligibility, which was later reduced on appeal.

How long was he actually held?

Kartel was taken into custody in 2011 in connection with the case and remained in prison through his 2014 conviction and the years of appeals that followed. In total he spent about 13 years behind bars before walking free in July 2024.

Stage	When
Taken into custody	2011
Convicted of murder; life sentence	March 2014
Privy Council quashes conviction	14 March 2024
Court of Appeal declines retrial; released	31 July 2024

Why was the conviction overturned?

Kartel and his co-defendants appealed all the way to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, which remains the final court of appeal for Jamaica. In March 2024 the Privy Council ruled that the original trial had been unfair because the judge failed to deal properly with allegations that a member of the jury had tried to bribe other jurors. That juror was allowed to remain on the panel, which the Privy Council found undermined the safety of the verdict, and the conviction was quashed.

Why was there no retrial?

The Privy Council sent the question of a retrial back to Jamaica’s Court of Appeal. On 31 July 2024 that court declined to order a fresh trial, citing factors including the length of time that had passed, the expense involved, and Kartel’s declining health. Kartel and his co-accused were released that day. It is important to be precise about what this means: the murder conviction was set aside and he was not retried, so in legal terms the case against him does not stand.

Common misunderstandings

“He was found innocent.” Not quite — his conviction was quashed on the grounds of an unfair trial, and the authorities chose not to retry him.
“A UK court jailed him.” He was tried and held in Jamaica; the UK’s Privy Council only heard the final appeal.
“He served a full life term.” He spent about 13 years in custody before release.
“He was released early on parole.” He was freed because the conviction was overturned, not through parole.

What is the Privy Council?

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, based in London, is the highest court of appeal for a number of Commonwealth countries, including Jamaica. Its involvement is why a UK court was able to decide the fate of a Jamaican conviction. The UK’s own criminal courts work differently again; if you want to understand how serious cases are handled here, our guide to sentencing in England and Wales and our wider site explain the basics, and you can read about Daniel Hockey, who has first-hand experience of the UK prison system.

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