Vybz Kartel found not guilty in murder of Jamaican businessman

A 12-person jury in the Jamaica Home Circuit Court found dancehall artist Vybz Kartel not guilty Tuesday (July 23) for the October 2011 death of Barrington "Bossie" Burtona, 27, a businessman and promoter from St. Catherine, Jamaica.

Two others accused, Lenburgh McDonald and Nigel Thompson, were also acquitted.According to the Jamaica Gleaner there was a "collapse" in the prosecution's argument after Supreme Court Judge Bryan Sykes denied a request to allow the statements of two witnesses in the trail.

Kartel was arrested nearly three years ago and served with charges of murder, conspiracy to murder, and illegal possession of a firearm. Charred remains found at a residence he frequented led to a police investigation plus drug charges for Kartel. Two weeks earlier, the performer also had been charged with the murder of dancer Clive "Lizard" Williams.

Allegations of witness intimidation in both incidents have plagued Kartel, which he addressed from behind bars saying, "Police made a lot of damaging remarks against me. A most notable one would be 'since his arrest, the community is a safer place.'"

While McDonald and Thompson were ordered freed, Kartel — real name Adidja Palmer — will remain locked up over the Williams case.

That trial begins this November.