Dancehall star Vybz Kartel and two of his three co-accused will remain behind bars after a judge rejected their bail application.

The judge determined that Kartel and his co-accused being in custody did not violate Jamaica's constitution. She also stated that, according to Jamaica's bail act, individuals can only be granted bail on appeal if they were previously granted bail before their conviction.


The judge further referenced Section 5 of the Bail Act, which she said applies to Kartel and his co-accused, stating that individuals appealing murder convictions would not be allowed to be granted bail pending the Court of Appeal's decision.


Kartel and his co-accused were convicted in 2014 for the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams in 2011. Williams was allegedly killed after failing to return two unlicensed guns given to him by Kartel.

Both Kartel and his co-accused have denied any involvement in Williams' death. In March, the Privy Council overturned their murder convictions due to juror misconduct and referred the case back to the Court of Appeal for a retrial.