Kartel Wants Compensation -Lawyers Look To Recover Millions Of Dollars

Lawyers representing dancehall star Vybz Kartel are heading to court to seek compensation from the State for his detention.

Kartel, whose correct name is Adijah Palmer, spent a little more than two weeks in custody after he was detained under the state of emergency.

But attorney-at-law, Valerie Neita-Robertson, believes the State overstepped its bounds and she wants compensation for the artiste, who was finally released by the police about 7:30 p.m. last Friday.

According to Neita-Robertson, National Security Minister Dwight Nelson had signed an order on Tuesday, July 13, authorising the release of Kartel.

She told The Sunday Gleaner that her client’s prolonged detention resulted in him losing several contracts, including a show he was booked to perform in in Nassau, Bahamas, yesterday.

No respect

“They do not respect or regard authority. They have no respect for anybody, and this has to stop,” said Neita-Robertson.

“From what was told to me, utterances were made to certain media personnel by police officers that they were not releasing him until today (Saturday). I would draw a conclusion from that they didn’t want him to meet this engagement,” Neita-Robertson said

She alleged that the detention order which her client was served did not state a reason as to why he was being detained.

The attorney said while the police’s interview with Kartel was very cordial, there was no specific offence which the police sought to question him about.

“When an order is given under the law, then the law must have its course. Police cannot just decide that they are not doing what they are supposed to do and we sit back and accept it,” an obviously upset Neita-Robertson told The Sunday Gleaner.

“We want to cooperate and want crime to go down, but we will not put up with slackness.”

Neita-Robertson charged that Kartel was not the only person who had been kept in police custody after the national security minister signed their release order.

She said several other persons, including women, were being illegally held by the police despite the order for their release.

The attorney said she had also been informed by the national security minister that one of her clients was to be released and placed under house arrest on the recommendation of the Emergency Powers Review Tribunal.

“That was days ago, and it has not been carried out,” said Neita-Robertson.

As one of dancehall’s hottest acts around now, particularly with his hit Clarkes enjoying heavy rotation, Kartel demands, and is guaranteed, top dollar for each show.

Last week, his publicist, Claude Mills, said due to his incarceration, two shows in the Caribbean were postponed. The shows were scheduled to be held in The Bahamas and Trinidad on July 17 and 24, respectively.

He also missed Tidal Wave, which was held at Waves Beach in Portmore, St Catherine, one week ago, leaving his bank book millions of dollars lighter.

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Comment by Phokus on July 29, 2010 at 11:50am: Join www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-NY/Phokus-International/6599083633

Comment by Dunks on July 20, 2010 at 7:55pm: my youth dress up yu self bout kartel if kartel eva c yu head buss off dave

Comment by dave days on July 20, 2010 at 2:49pm: kartel we need you to perform in brooklyn. your the only one we want to see perform

Comment by GIFFORD LAWSON on July 20, 2010 at 11:49am: these idiot dance hall artist must educate themselves

Comment by GIFFORD LAWSON on July 20, 2010 at 11:46am: you know jamaican dance hall artist are so darn stupid look at the song the idiot cartel did look how much money he put in the pockets of the clarkes shoe co, without getting paid by them for the endorsment of their product. also the people are also so stupid buying the product without thinking

Comment by david jones on July 20, 2010 at 6:22am: My question is so many artist going to jail for some reason or another
Most of them coming from the ghetto , make a name for themselves but still can't get away from the trap. Kartel must remember that him is a artist and not a area leader, stop trying to be a don and your name will not be called in dem thing .just keep doing music and live good.

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Comment by Christy Covington on July 19, 2010 at 5:33pm: Yo Kartel look like he got the "business"...he look sick...too much ramping shop with no raincoat will kill you dead...AIDS is for real ya'll better watch yourselves!!!

Comment by kimmy on July 19, 2010 at 2:57pm: He is realy slack but Jamaica is so damn currupt if the man ain't guilty of nutin set him free dem police need a bomb up their ass they do that s*** 2 a lot of innocent ppl