Kahira Jones, one of three men sentenced to life along with dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel in 2014, was found guilty on three firearm related charges last month.
High Court Judge Lisa Palmer found Jones guilty of wounding with intent, illegal possession of firearm and illegal possession of ammunition in the Gun Court in downtown Kingston, Jamaica. The conviction stems from the December 2009 shooting of Chevallo Rodney in Waterford, St Catherine.
Kahira Jones is set to be sentenced on February 22.
Jones was convicted with Dancehall superstar Adija ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams along with Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell and Andre St John in April 2014 and handed mandatory life sentences.
Kahira Jones’ new conviction now has Dancehall fans wondering if this development will affect the Kartel’s murder case appeal. According to sources close to the deejay’s legal team, they remain confident that the appeal court will exonerate him.
“The appeal court judges are of the highest quality, so they will not let any outside force influence their decision,” sources said. “Jones case is unrelated to Vybz Kartel case, so it will not sway the Appeal Court’s decision in any way. It’s been six months now since the court wrapped up the case which is about how long it usually takes to return a verdict. The legal team remains confident of a favorable outcome for the defense.”
Seven months Vybz Kartel, Shawn Storm, Andre St John, and Kahira Jones made an appeal against their murder convictions in the Supreme Court.
Last year attorney, Bert Samuels shared that he was hoping that decision would be made during the last quarter of 2018, however he is now eyeing a March deadline for the Appeal Court to return with a verdict.
“It’s a new term, and we are hoping that during this term which lasts up to the end of March we will get the judgment,” Samuels said during an interview. “So we are anxiously awaiting the judgment in that case, and we’re very very optimistic so let’s see what happens.”
