Vybz Kartel Celebrates His 37th Birthday Behind Bars

Controversial entertainer Adidja Palmer better known as Vybz Kartel is today celebrating his 37th birthday. The artiste born January 7, 1976 has been incarcerated for over a year and three months. 

Monday, January 7, 2013 also marks the second birthday the deejay is spending behind bars as he awaits trial on a plethora of criminal charges ranging from murder and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. During the last 463 days, Kartel has secured bail twice but remains in lock up due to other pending cases. 

Amidst cries for freedom from fans and the efforts of high profile lawyers, the deejay remains locked up and is expected to officially commence trial in the island's criminal court in later this year along with several of his co-accused including protege Shawn Campbell aka Shawn Storm, Gaza Slim, Pim Pim, designer Calvin Haye among others.

On September 30, 2011 law enforcement officials converged on a Corporate Area hotel, where the entertainer and a group of friends were arrested in an unprecedented move that would changed the artiste's live forever. Initially he was arrested for Marijuana possession but days later was charged with the murder of business man Barrington 'Bossie' Burton. It's alleged the business man was killed by Vybz Kartel and his cronies along Walkers Avenue in Gregory Park.

Less than a month later, Kartel was slapped with a second murder charge for Clive 'Lizard' Williams. Despite the victim's body not being found, the police insist they have substantial evidence linking the deejay to the crime. He was also charged for illegal possession of firearm. 

Months later, Gaza Slim and Pim Pim where charged in a separate incident after the female deejay reported that she had been attacked and robbed by Lizard, the deceased man associated with Kartel's murder case. They were subsequently charged with conspiracy and attempting to pervert the course of justice. It's alleged the plot was masterminded by Kartel.

Despite his incarceration Vybz Kartel remains one of the top brass dancehall acts saturating the Jamaican airwaves.