Lead prosecutor Jeremy Taylor completed his address to the 11- member jury this afternoon at the murder trial against dancehall artist Vybz Kartel and his four co-accused.
Taylor told the jurors to consider the evidence put before them and return a truthful verdict.
He told the jury that it was Kartel’s arrogance which caused him to leave the text messages on his BlackBerry phone because he says he is the “Worl Boss” and nothing can happen to him.
Taylor referred to messages on the phone suggesting Kartel was making attempts to leave the island. He also told the jury that the entertainer spoke about how Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams was chopped up like mince meat and his body thrown away.
The prosecutor said one could identify the laugh and glee when Kartel sent those text messages. In closing, the lead prosecutor quoted from the Book of Psalms saying, “The Lord laughs at the wicked because he knows their day is coming”.
Meanwhile, Michael Lorne, the attorney for co-accused, Shawn Campbell, more popularly known as ‘Shawn Storm’, began his address to the jury this afternoon. Lorne told the jury not to allow Taylor to “pull the wool over their eyes.” He also told the jury to reject arguments that ‘Shawn Storm’ had betrayed the deceased. The trial continues on Monday when Lorne will resume his address to the jury.
VYBZ KARTEL Â FEAT LANTAN “TALK TO DEM” 2014
In telling the jurors that all the accused do not have to ‘sink’ with Vybz Kartel, Taylor poured cold water on the unsworn statement given by Vybz Kartel and his four co-accused even though he told the jurors they must consider it.
“It is not evidence. It is a lesser species than evidence but you must consider it. It is a right that they have. Evidence must be taken under oath,” he said. Taylor continued where he left off on Tuesday in asking for justice for Williams.
“How would you feel if a family member had been killed and the body not found? Would you not want an accounting? Would you not want an answer? Would you not want someone to say that is not right?” he said.
During the trial the prosecution displayed a damning BlackBerry message which was allegedly abstracted from a cellular phone ascribed to Vybz Kartel that said that Williams’ body was chopped up like minced meat and would never be found.Â
Taylor used that message and also relied heavily on expletive-laced voice notes allegedly sent by Vybz Kartel, which spoke of the fate of individuals who had stolen the firearms.
Taylor said Lizard was killed to send a message to the entertainer’s followers on what fate would befall them if they mishandled Vybz Kartel’s guns.
“The finality of this was not a punishment. This was an abject message. You do not fool with Adidja Palmer’s guns. I give you a ting fi lock, don’t tell me foolishness. You really wonder why they didn’t beat him up. Beat him up and take money from him. If they had beat him up none of us would be here, but it was decided that Clive Lloyd Williams had to die,” he said.
Co-accused Campbell, Jones and Williams also bore serious countenances as Taylor sought their conviction, while St John seemed indifferent, at times.
The panel of jurors appeared to show some interest in Taylor’s argument, but only the forewoman was observed taking notes. Taylor also questioned why it was Vybz Kartel’s sister who had come to give character evidence on his behalf.
The trial will resume next Monday for the final chapter. Meanwhile at the Supreme Court downtown Kingston as the police have removed the barriers set up Wednesday in the vicinity of the Supreme Court.
VYBZ KARTEL “WORLD BOSS REPRESENT PORTMORE ” SHORT BOSS MUZIK 2014
