JAMAICA-Supreme Court Judge Andrea Thomas on Thursday threw out a habeas corpus application submitted by attorneys for dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel and two of his three co-accused, saying that their present custodial status is not in breach of the constitution.
The ruling was handed down at the court in downtown Kingston a few minutes before a jury in New York, United States, found former US President Donald Trump guilty on each of the 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide a payment meant to silence porn star, Stormy Daniels, months before an election that could see him yet return to the White House.
The verdict is a historic and startling first in a country whose president is frequently described as the most powerful man in the world.
Trump, who could, in theory, be sentenced to four years behind bars for each count but is more likely to receive probation, was released without bail.
In contrast, Justice Thomas’s ruling in Kingston has resulted in Kartel, whose given name is Adidja Palmer, and his co-accused Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell and Andre St John, remaining in prison.
Justice Thomas ruled that in the absence of a verdict of acquittal by the United Kingdom Privy Council, the charge of murder remains in effect for Kartel.
She told a packed courtroom that, “Because their appeal is not yet determined, they should remain in custody until their appeal is concluded.