Case against entertainer Kiprich over song police said endorsed don dismissed

The prosecution has withdrawn its case against dancehall artiste Marlon 'Kiprich' Plunkett, who was charged over a song that police said endorsed gang violence and paid tribute to alleged One Order Gang don Othniel 'Thickman' Lobban, who was fatally shot by police in January.

The case was withdrawn on Tuesday in the St Catherine Parish Court after it was revealed that the Crown did not have a voice recognition machine to treat with the evidence.

Attorney-at-law Patrick Peterkin insisted the matter should be dismissed and Presiding Senior Parish Court Judge, Desiree Alleyne, then formally freed the entertainer of the charges.

''We feel that justice was served here today, which resulted in Mr Plunkett's freedom. He can now resume a fulsome delve into his music, as this case was affecting him negatively," Peterkin said.

Plunkett, 46, was charged on January 25, 2025 with use of audio and audiovisual communication to promote criminal activities.

The Spanish Town police in St Catherine said the song, Stay Far Freestyle, was performed by Kiprich and that the lyrics endorsed the former One Order Gang leader.

The police had revealed that Plunkett and others were persons of interest and he turned in himself.

He made numerous court appearances and maintained his innocence throughout.

The entertainer did not comment after being freed.

- Rasbert Turner

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