Dancehall reggae star Vybz Kartel and three co-defendants have been convicted of murder in a high-profile trial under heavy security in Jamaica's supreme court.
As Jamaican police in riot gear guarded barricaded streets outside, 10 members of an 11-person jury found Kartel and three others guilty on Thursday of the October 2011 killing of Clive "Lizard" Williams.
One defendant was cleared of wrongdoing.
In a bizarre twist, a male juror was arrested on Thursday evening on charges of attempting to bribe the jury foreman in an attempt to influence the panel to free Kartel, who is known for innovative, but often violent, X-rated lyrics.
Authorities confirmed the arrest but disclosed few details.
Prosecutors alleged Williams was beaten to death at Kartel's home in August 2011 after being lured there to answer for two missing illegal guns.
His body has never been found.
Police testified they retrieved a text message from Kartel's phone saying Williams was chopped up in a "mincemeat" so fine that his remains would never be found.
Dennis Howard, author of the book Rantin' From Inside The Dancehall, said the verdict was positive for the brash musical genre whose most prominent performers have a history of getting in trouble with the law, though not to the extreme Kartel has.
"The artists are realising that they cannot be a bad man and an entertainer," Howard said.
Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, has been in jail for about three years.
His songs are played widely by many young Jamaicans, especially those in blighted slums, who consider him a hero of sorts.
He has recorded with artists including Jay Z, Rihanna, Missy Elliott and Lil Wayne.
