Yesterday, the Jamaica Observer reported that one of its journalists, Karyl Walker, who covers the courts, as well as Abka Fitz Henley of the radio station Nationwide News Network, had received several death threats following the verdict in Vybz Kartel's trial.
In a statement released by his lawyers, which we reproduce below, Vybz Kartel asks those behind the threats to stop:
"One of my lawyers informed me this morning (yesterday morning, editor's note) that certain people, including journalists, had received threats from people who were allegedly acting in my name.
During my sentencing hearing, my lawyer Tom Tavares Finson told the court that I bear no ill will towards the people involved in my trial. Not the police, not the prosecutors, not the Digicel employees (who testified during the trial, editor's note) and certainly not the journalists who covered my trial in such a way as to expose the weaknesses of the prosecution.
I repeat that I bear no ill will towards anyone involved in my trial, and I have confidence in the justice system and the appeal process in which we are engaged.
I call on all ill-advised persons who might think it appropriate to threaten or intimidate anyone to stop. Such acts do not help me and play into the hands of the police and others who want to discredit me and damage my appeal.
In the meantime, I thank my family, my friends and my fans who continue to support me and to have faith in me."
Adidja Palmer
Last Sunday, the Observer had quoted a police source revealing that Vybz Kartel had given information in the hope of having his sentence reduced, concerning several wanted people and 17 firearms.
According to the article published by the daily, Vybz Kartel belonged to the fearsome Klansman gang in Spanish Town.
Last week, Police Commissioner Owen Ellington stated that Vybz Kartel was the leader of a gang responsible for more than 100 murders.