In a recent interview with Fox 5’s Lisa Evers, Adidja Jahiem Palmer aka Likkle Vybz, son of the renowned Dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, has confirmed that his father’s health is worsening.
This revelation follows the rejection of Kartel’s habeas corpus petition last Thursday, May 31, and echoes earlier statements made by his lawyer, Isat Buchanan.
Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, has been battling Graves’ Disease and a severe heart condition for nearly a decade under what his legal team describes as “inhumane” conditions. Buchanan likened Kartel’s prison cell to a brick oven, highlighting the poor ventilation and oppressive heat.
Despite Kartel’s declining health, he, Shawn Storm, and their co-defendants remain incarcerated pending a crucial five-day hearing set to begin on June 10. This hearing will determine if there will be a retrial for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, whose body was never found.
Kartel has been behind bars since 2011, and his ongoing health issues have become increasingly severe. In May 2023, a medical affidavit obtained by Fox 5 NY revealed that Kartel’s Graves’ Disease and heart condition are worsening, and his doctors have warned that without immediate surgery, his life could be at risk.
At the time of the report, Kartel was in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day due to alleged cell phone violations, exacerbating his medical condition. Human rights lawyer Isat Buchanan has been vocal about the harsh conditions, emphasizing the lack of proper ventilation and the extreme heat in Kartel’s cell.
Dr. Karen Phillips, Kartel’s personal physician, has also recommended urgent surgery. Her detailed medical report, exclusively obtained by Fox 5 NY, outlined the severity of Kartel’s thyroid disease and the ineffectiveness of current treatments.
The international music community continues to watch closely as Kartel, a significant figure in Dancehall music, navigates his ongoing legal and health battles. The upcoming hearing will be a pivotal moment in determining his future and the potential for a retrial.
Related: Vybz Kartel’s hopes for freedom dashed as judge denies his immediate release
