Vybz Kartel Murder Case Delayed, "Mi Hurt" Says Popcaan

The preliminary hearing for Gaza boss Vybz Kartel stemming from murder and gun possession charges for the second successive day, failed to get mentioned before a magistrate due to the case file still being incomplete.

On Monday, Kartel was charged with murder, conspiracy to murder and illegal possession of a firearm regarding the shooting death of 27 year old businessman/promoter, Barrington “Bossie” Burton in Gregory Park, St. Catherine. Adding to his mounting problems is, Kartel’s reality show, Teacha’s Pet which lost its biggest sponsor when telecommunications outlet, LIME announced on Tuesday that they would no longer broadcast uncut episodes of the series. Additionally, producers of Teacha’s Pet are discussing whether or not future episodes of Teacha’s Pet will be broadcast as a result of Kartel’s legal issues.

Despite the controversy surrounding the “Dancehall Hero”, members of the Gaza camp continue to show loyalty towards their mentor. Empire artiste, Gaza Slim asked for law enforcement to release Kartel; stating,  "Mi just waan seh, free mi boss in the name of Jesus." Additionally, Slim intimated that, "Mi a gwaan pray fi him, mi nah give up, Gaza mi sey forever and Gaza a Vybz Kartel. Mi know seh dem cyaan stop him, me a pray fi him every day cause a him me seh.

Meanwhile, another of Kartel's prized protégé, Andre “Popcaan” Sutherland said that he was stunned by the news that “Di Teacha” had been charged with murder. "Mi nuh know how it go, me and him do business musically, so mi nuh 100 per cent sure of his personal life and can't know how true any of it be,” Popcaan stated. Furthermore, Popcaan said that he was hurt by the news and didn’t expect such a thing to happen to his long-time mentor.

However, the “Raving” deejay made it clear that the Portmore Empire was still intact. "Empire will always continue, me deh yah being strong, we deh yah for a purpose same way and we gonna continue doing what we do same way and hope fi di best,” Popcaan said. As for who will lead the “Gaza” group going forward, Popcaan remains unsure.

The Portmore Empire was formed in 2007, months after Kartel left the Alliance. The group currently consists of Vybz Kartel, Popcaan, Shawn Storm, Tommy Lee & Maxwell along with Gaza Slim, Sheba and Gaza Indu.