The High Court in London has made a significant ruling in the murder conviction of Jamaican dancehall icon, Vybz Kartel.

Earlier today, the High Court overturned the conviction stemming from the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams over ten years ago. Williams was an associate of the Dancehall star. His body was never found.

The court questioned the veracity of the guilty ruling, noting that attempts were made to bribe the trial jury.

Kartel, along with three others, was convicted in 2014 after a 64-day trial in Kingston, one of the lengthiest in Jamaica’s history. Initially sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 35 years, Kartel’s term was later reduced to 32-and-a-half years on appeal.

Kartel and his co-defendants recently made their final appeal at the Privy Council in London, contesting the trial judge’s handling of allegations that a juror offered bribes to secure not-guilty verdicts. The Privy Council, the highest court of appeal in Jamaica and certain other Commonwealth nations allowed the defendants’ appeals. Judge David Lloyd-Jones deemed the trial judge’s decision to allow the implicated juror to remain on the jury as “fatal to the safety of the convictions.”

As a result of this ruling, the Privy Council has referred the case back to the Court of Appeal in Jamaica. The Court of Appeal will now determine whether Kartel and his co-defendants should face a retrial. This decision marks a significant turn in the legal saga surrounding Vybz Kartel’s conviction and underscores the complexities involved in high-profile criminal cases.

Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, is a prominent figure in the global music scene. He has collaborated with renowned artists such as Jay-Z and Rihanna.

Fans of the World Boss are celebrating this turn of events and are already counting down to his first post-incarceration performance. Since the announcement was made social media has been awash with comments of support for the incarcerated artiste.

“Mi feel like crying. I’m very happy. Mi never happy like this before. Free up dancehall daddy,” one woman posted.

Another commented “At long last the teacher is coming to class again. Students stand up!”

One man said “God is good! They could never keep a good man down forever. Blessings Kartel, first concert I’ll be there.”

Among the thousands of messages and posts in support of the dancehall icon, some people are urging others to keep in mind that being accused of murder is a serious issue that shouldn’t be trivialised.

“Kartel is one of the the best, if not the best lyricist from Jamaica. He’s also a murderer. Two things can simultaneously inhabit the same space. They are not mutually exclusive,” one woman posted.

In the aftermath of the ruling that was handed down today, it’s now up to the Jamaican Court of Appeal to decide whether or not they’ll proceed with a possible retrial.