Vybz Kartel Pleads Not Guilty

KINGSTON, Jamaica (Observer): VYBZ Kartel pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of marijuana when his case was called up in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court today. His female companion Alicia Jackson, pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $500 or thirty days for the offence. Kartel's attorney, Michael Deans, requested that the court drop the drug possession charge against his client. The request was flatly rejected by Senior Magistrate who ordered that the prosecution and defence should discuss the matter and come to a decision when the case is next mentioned on October 11, when a bail application is expected to made on his behalf. The artiste, who is known for his avid defense of skin bleaching, appeared to be regaining his original dark skin colour after a week in custody. He sat quietly inside the holding area for defendants on remand and listened intently to the cases that came before the court. He smiled broadly when a woman, who complained of being physically abused by her male spouse, begged the court to give the man a chance. Dressed in a grey suit with matching tie, the smile which was adorned the face of the deejay was missing as he was being pleaded and he maintained a stoic demeanor. Vybz Kartel is tentatively set to be brought back to court October 13 for the preliminary hearing into the charges of murder, conspiracy and illegal firearm possession which were laid against him earlier this week.