Vybz Kartel Trial: Judge Accept Video Footage Into Evidence

Vybz Kartel murder trial in the Home Circuit court is taking shape.

After weeks of behind closed door testimony from former head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Cybercrime Unit, Patrick Linton, Justice Lennox Campbell has decided to admit video footage, audio recordings, and text messages into evidence.

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Linton gave his testimony on camera in the absence of the jury and the media due to the national security sensitivity of the information he is providing to the courts.

On Wednesday afternoon attorneys completed their submissions related to the matter to the court. The judge then handed down the ruling that he will allow the crown to enter video and other multimedia material into evidence.

Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, is on trial for the alleged murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams. He is jointly charged for Williams’ murder along with protege Shawn “Storm” Campbell, Kahira Jones, André St John, and Shane Williams.

Police officers have long indicated that they have video evidence linking Vybz Kartel and the other accused men to the August 16, 2011 murder.

Officers say Williams was beaten to death at a house in Havendale, St. Andrew over a missing firearm.

On the day of his arrest, September 30, 2011, a number of cellphones and other equipments were seized from Vybz Kartel.

Detective Sergeant Linton, who headed the cybercrime united in the police force at the time, testified on the methods used to extract data from these devices.

The trial resumes tomorrow when the jury and the media will be allowed back in the courtroom.

This ruling means the jury will now be allowed to view the video footage, BBM messages, audio recordings, and text messages police officers recovered from the devices.