Dancehall artist Vybz Kartel charged with murder

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - Adijah Palmer, better known as Vybz Kartel, has been charged with conspiracy to murder, possession of a firearm, and murder...

TheGrio Staff

Oct 4, 2011

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — One of Jamaica’s most popular deejays has been charged with murder.

A police statement issued Monday evening says dancehall star Vybz Kartel was charged with murder, conspiracy to murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

Police accuse the rapper, whose real name is Adijah Palmer, of conspiring with others to kill a 27-year-old promoter who was slain on a street corner earlier this year.

Kartel’s defense attorney, Tom Tavares-Finson, could not be reached about the allegations on Monday night.

The 35-year-old Kartel was initially arrested Friday for marijuana possession.

Known for sexually explicit and violent lyrics, Kartel has previously been arrested on charges including assault and illegal gun possession. Those charges were later dropped.