The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) in London has overturned the convictions of dancehall artists Adidja ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer, Shawn ‘Storm’ Campbell, and two others, citing juror misconduct during their trial in Jamaica.

The Privy Council’s ruling sends the case back to Jamaica’s Court of Appeal, which will determine whether a retrial is warranted for the artists—along with Kahira Jones and Andre ‘Mad Suss’ St. John—who have served 12 and a half years in prison for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

During the trial, prosecutors relied heavily on cellphone records and testimony from Lamar “Wee” Chow, the sole eyewitness, who claimed Williams was killed at Kartel’s residence in Havendale, St Andrew, in August 2011. Following a grueling 64-day trial, the men were sentenced to life in prison in April 2014, marking the longest trial in Jamaica’s legal history. Although the Jamaica Court Of Appeal upheld the convictions in April 2020, it reduced their parole eligibility.

The defendants were granted an appeal to the UK-based Privy Council on the grounds of improperly obtained cellular evidence, tainted jury after a bribery attempt, and alleged undue pressure from the trial judge, Justice Lennox Campbell, to reach a verdict. The final appeal was heard on February 14 and 15.

The Privy Council, composed of judges Lord Reed, Lord Lloyd-Jones, Lord Briggs, Lord Burrows, and Lady Simler, unanimously ruled in favor of allowing the appeal, deeming the conviction unsafe and quashing it. However, the judges refrained from expressing views on the other issues raised during the appeal.

Critically, the judges scrutinized the handling of jury issues by the trial judge, including the continuation of the trial with a corrupt juror and the lack of sufficient action to mitigate potential biases.

One juror was discharged early in the trial due to concerns for her son’s safety, while another juror, Livingston Caine (Juror X), was found guilty of attempting to bribe fellow jurors. Despite this, Caine was allowed to continue serving on the jury, as Jamaican law requires at least 11 jurors for a murder trial to proceed. The Privy Council deemed this inaction as detrimental to the fairness of the trial.

The judges highlighted the judge’s failure to adequately address the alleged bribery and the potential prejudice that Juror X’s behavior may have caused among the remaining jurors. They emphasized the absence of legislative provisions in Jamaica to address jury tampering, contrasting it with the protocols in England and Wales.

The Privy Council’s decision, detailed under Case ID JCPC 2022/0049, “Shawn Campbell and 3 others (Appellants) v The King (Respondent) No 2 (Jamaica),” marks a significant development in the case, raising questions about the integrity of the trial process and the need for reforms to safeguard against juror misconduct.

Reggae enthusiasts worldwide are mourning the untimely passing of Peetah Morgan, the lead singer of the renowned reggae band Morgan Heritage. The somber news was announced by the band through a heartfelt statement shared on their Instagram on Sunday, February 25.

The band’s statement, while confirming Peetah’s passing, did not disclose the cause of death, however reports indicate that he died from a massive stroke.

Peetah Morgan was 47 years old at the time of his demise. The music industry and fans alike are left in shock as they grapple with the sudden loss of the veteran singer.

The family’s statement expressed gratitude for the overwhelming love and support received, asking for continued prayers during this difficult time. They also requested respect for their privacy as they navigate through the process of healing.

Peetah Morgan’s contribution to reggae music, especially as the frontman of Morgan Heritage, has left an indelible mark. As fans come together to remember his legacy, the reggae community mourns the loss of a talented artist who has left an enduring impact on the genre.

With only months remaining until surfing makes its debut in the Paris 2024 Olympics, 266 athletes worldwide, including Zebedee Bamford, Teshawn Jones, and Rush Broderick representing the British Virgin Islands, will compete for the remaining Olympic slots at the 2024 ISA World Surfing Games in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, from February 23 to March 3.

This event serves as the final qualifying opportunity for surfers aiming to participate in the Olympic surfing competition in Tahiti.

The event commenced with the Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremony on February 23, followed by competition days spanning from February 24 to March 2, concluding with Finals Day and the Closing Ceremony on March 3.

The top 8 women and 6 men will secure direct qualification for Paris 2024 through the 2024 World Surfing Games.

In addition to individual qualifications, the highest-ranked women’s and men’s teams will earn a slot for their nation, allowing a third surfer beyond the standard national quota. This provision, which led to additional qualifiers in 2022, adds an extra layer of anticipation to the competition.

This year’s World Surfing Games feature a star-studded lineup, including nine former ISA gold medalists and 27 Olympians who competed in Tokyo 2020, with 27 athletes already qualified for Paris 2024. Among the participants are six World Surf League (WSL) champions, adding an extra layer of prestige to the event.

The ISA chose Puerto Rico’s iconic reef-breaks of Margara, El Pico, and Rastrial as the competition venues. Puerto Rico’s rich surfing history, dating back to 1968, makes it a fitting backdrop for this world-class event.