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BUJU INNA HOT WATA!!! Options
iman1
Posted: Thursday, November 11, 2010 12:42:06 PM

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Buju Banton out on bail
Can't wait to sleep in his own bed


BY PAUL HENRY Crime/court co-ordinator henryp@jamaicaobserver.com
Wednesday, November 10, 2010

REGGAE artiste Buju Banton this afternoon(Wednesday) walked out of the Pinellas County Jail in Tampa, Florida after he was granted bail in an immigration court. Banton has been in jail since December last year when he was arrested for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine.

A member of his legal team, Marc Seitles, said the artiste was overjoyed that he gained some measure of freedom.

Buju Banton...walked out of jail today.
[Hide Description] Buju Banton...walked out of jail today.


"Buju can’t wait to have a nice meal and sleep in his own bed,” Seitle said.

In September, Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was left pondering his fate after a 12-member jury could not reach a unanimous decision about his innocence or guilt.

He will be retried in February next year.

Banton met the conditions bail set by US magistrate Anthony Porcelli after his friend and son of Reggae King Bob Marley, Stephen Marley, put up his US$300,000 house as collateral.

Myrie will have to wear a tracking device and will be under 24-hour surveillance from a security company. He has also signed an extradition waiver and will not be allowed to leave the Middle District of Souther District of Florida until his trial begins.

He will only be allowed to visit a doctor and his lawyer.

Also he must submit himself to urine tests to prove that he is not using banned substances.


Source:Jamaica Observer
iman1
Posted: Friday, November 12, 2010 2:21:51 PM

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Buju spends first night out of jail

Buju Banton covering his face as he leaves the Pinellas Country Jail in Florida on Wednesday, (Overall.com photo).

International Reggae singer Buju Banton has spent his first night at his Tamarac, Florida home after almost a year in jail.

He was released on bail from the Pinellas County jail in Tampa on Wednesday.

Buju, 37, whose given name is Mark Myrie, in the company of his court appointed security and wearing a tracking device, left the jail and made the more than three hour long journey to his home in Tamarac.

He left the jail covering his face and refused to comment to the media.

Buju will be under house arrest and will be only allowed to leave to meet his lawyers or pick up prescribed mediation.

"He can come here at the office to have lunch and prepare for the case and then he's got to go home," defence attorney David Markus said.

There will also be strict regulations governing Buju's stay at home.

"He can have one visitor at a time and that visitor has to be approved. He's going to have to abide by all the conditions of bond so there aren't any issues," Mr. Markus added.

In addition to posting bail, wearing an electronic monitoring device and being under house arrest with 24 hour security, Buju has signed an extradition waiver ensuring his return if he does flee the US.

The lawyer noted that the reggae singer was very grateful for the support he had received form people all over the world especially those who have been contributing to his legal funds as he prepares for his re-trial in February.

Mr. Markus also praised the solidarity shown by fellow entertainer Stephen Marley, who took out a lien on his South Florida home for the US$300,000 to help secure bond for Buju.

Buju's next hurdle is his re-trial next February.

The artiste's immigration status in the United States remains in limbo as his visa was revoked following his arrest last December.


Source:Radio Jamaica
iman1
Posted: Saturday, November 20, 2010 1:22:19 AM

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Buju Wants Gun Charge Dropped

Published: Thursday | November 18, 20101

Buju Banton - File
Lawyers representing Jamaica's reggae superstar Buju Banton have filed a motion in court to have the gun charge against him dropped.


Buju, whose correct name is Mark Myrie, is set to be retried on charges of drug conspiracy and possession of a firearm during the course of a drug-trafficking crime.

But in documents filed in the US District Court in the Middle District of Florida on Monday, Buju's lawyers urged the judge to free him of the gun charge.

"As the court is well aware, the jury in this cause could not reach a verdict, and a mistrial was ordered.

"The government has indicated that it intends to retry the case. In the light most favourable to the government, the evidence was insufficient to convict Mr Myrie on Count 2, the 924(c) charge and, accordingly, Mr Myrie should only be retried on Count 1," Buju's attorney, David Oscar Markus, argued.

Amending the indictment

"First, there is no evidence Mark Myrie knew that James Mack (a co-accused) had a gun in his car. The undisputed facts at trial established that Mr Myrie had never even spoken to or met James Mack before being arrested in this case. As for the second element, there is nothing that 'links' Mr Myrie to this gun," added Markus.

The lawyer charged that having realised that it could not prove that Buju aided or abetted the possession of the gun, the prosecution attempted to amend the indictment after the close of the first trial.

"There is simply no evidence that it was reasonably foreseeable to Mr Myrie that Mr Mack would be present at this drug deal and that he would be in possession of a gun," said Markus.

The court is expected to rule on the matter shortly.

Buju and his co-accused, Mack and Ian Thomas, were arrested last December after US law-enforcement agents allegedly recorded them planning a drug deal.

Mack and Thomas, who were held when he went to purchase the coke, subsequently pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

But Buju, who has repeatedly claimed he was not guilty, faced the court in a trial which ended in a hung jury.

He is now out on bail and scheduled to return to court for a second trial early next year.

Source:Jamaica Gleaner/Power106 News
iman1
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 2:19:19 AM

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No show for Buju - Judge denies request to perform at live concert


Buju Banton - File
United States Magistrate Judge Anthony Porcelli has denied singer Buju Banton's request to perform at a live concert in Miami on December 26.

According to tampabay.com, Judge Anthony Porcelli denied that request on Tuesday, saying whatever financial pressures Banton faces do not outweigh the risk that he might flee.

The report further stated that Banton's attorney, David Oscar Markus, on Wednesday asked the judge to reconsider, saying the 24-hour security detail ordered to monitor Banton as a condition of his release costs US$20,000 a month. Plus, there is the cost of preparing for his upcoming drug trafficking retrial. Banton's security detail does not object to him doing the concert and would be present for the show, his lawyer said. The prosecutor, however, objected and there is yet no word on whether he will be able to attend.

Banton was released on house arrest in Broward County since his bail from Pinellas County Jail on November 10. The singer, whose real name is Mark Myrie, had been behind bars since his arrest in Miami, on December 10, and has since been in the midst of an ongoing cocaine-trafficking trial. A federal judge declared a mistrial on September 27 after jurors could not agree on a verdict. Banton is scheduled to be tried again in February.

Under the terms of Banton's bond, he must pay a private security detail to guard him so he does not flee. He was also required to sign an extradition waiver, ensuring his return if he does flee the country, and will have to wear an electronic monitoring device.

Two men indicted along with Banton, including the singer's driver, have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Banton maintains he was set up by a well-paid government informant. But the prosecution argued that recorded conversations showed Banton was an experienced cocaine trafficker who was trying to invest in another deal.

Banton is best known for songs like Browning, Deportee and Driver. His 1995 album, Til Shiloh, is regarded as one of the greatest reggae albums.

Source: JamaicaStar
1blackbeauty
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 5:57:05 AM

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They going ham on Buju...tryna break his back. Why in the hell would he have to pay for security AND wear the damned bracelet?
And why are they denying the man his money?
Well, we all know the answer to it.
The man needs a loud voice in his corner...they are railroading him.

TI does 7 months for attempting to buy machine guns and ammo...?They allow him to do a reality show and release an album before he goes to jail.

Same thing for Lil Wayne..

But they allowed the man out on house arrest and will not allow him to work?

There is a lady not too far from me, she was driving her car and painting her nails, and she hit and killed a lady on a motorcycle.

You know they allowed this woman to keep her job ...and DRIVE herself to work and back everyday? Over 60 miles unsupervised??

What is happening to Buju is so sad.
iman1
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 1:43:42 PM

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iMAN1:So what is your point...comparing Buju to TI or Lil Wayne...2

different situations on intent of buying or selling drugs or selling

guns.
1blackbeauty
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 2:04:03 PM

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iman1 wrote:
iMAN1:So what is your point...comparing Buju to TI or Lil Wayne...2

different situations on intent of buying or selling drugs or selling

guns.



I had to correct this.

YES, I am comparing him to them. They are all entertainers..who were allowed time to make money and handle personal affairs before they were sent off to petty 1 year jail sentences.

And they were not fist time offenders.

Maybe you should research and see how they are railroading the man, before you make such a reply.
iman1
Posted: Wednesday, December 1, 2010 10:16:05 PM

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iMAN1:Listen me...Buju was set up & that was his first offence, didn't

Ti get arrested again?...better yet Buju not American like Ti or Lil

Wayne & once they know he Jamcan & rasta get scrutinized even

more..Therefore no comparison here.

1blackbeauty wrote:
iman1 wrote:
iMAN1:So what is your point...comparing Buju to TI or Lil Wayne...2

different situations on intent of buying or selling drugs or selling

guns.



I had to correct this.

YES, I am comparing him to them. They are all entertainers..who were allowed time to make money and handle personal affairs before they were sent off to petty 1 year jail sentences.

And they were not fist time offenders.

Maybe you should research and see how they are railroading the man, before you make such a reply.
iman1
Posted: Friday, December 3, 2010 3:10:18 AM

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Court allows Buju to perform

Reggae singer wins appeal in Florida court

BY PAUL HENRY Crime/court coordinator henryp@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, December 01, 2010



JAMAICAN Reggae star Buju Banton, today won an appeal against an order which denied him the right to perform on a concert on January 16.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, had applied for permission to perform at the concert on November 23 but his motion was dismissed by United States Judge Anthony Porcelli on the grounds that the artiste was a flight risk.

But in overturning the ruling today Judge James Moody cited that the issue had been already addressed when Banton was released on bail in October.

David Oscar Markus, who is the singer's lead attorney, was grateful for the ruling which will allow his client to earn much needed income to pay for his security detail which is costing Banton US$20,000 monthly.

The concert, dubbed 'Before The Dawn', will be held at the Bay Front Amphitheatre in downtown Miami and will feature Banton and other prominent Reggae artistes. The concert is being produced by Rockers Island.

Banton was held in the Pinellas County Jail for 11 months after being hauled out of his home in Tamarac, South Florida following the arrest of James Mack and Ian Thomas during a sting operation in Saratoga, Tampa.

Both were held attempting to purchase cocaine from undercover agents in a police controlled warehouse and have pleaded guilty.


Source: JamaicaObserver
iman1
Posted: Saturday, December 4, 2010 9:51:01 PM

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Buju Banton tops Reggae Grammy nominations

Buju Banton.
International Dancehall star, Mark Myrie better known as Buju Banton, who is facing a mountain of legal troubles, has landed on top of this year's reggae Grammy nominations.


The singer who was on Wednesday given the all clear by a Florida Judge to perform at an upcoming concert in the US has been nominated for his 10 track album, Before Dawn.

The tracks on the album are said to contain "prophetic songs" written by Buju since his entry into the music business more than 20 years ago.

The other nominees for the Reggae Grammy category are the late Gregory Issacs for the album: "Issacs meets Issacs" and Lee Scratch Perry's "Revelation".

Sly and Robbie and the Family have also joined the list of reggae nominees.

The musical duo has received a grammy nomination for the album titled "One Pop Reggae".

"Made in Jamaica"- an album also produced by Sly and Robbie and Bob Sinclair will also be considered for top reggae honours.

Andrew Tosh's Legacy An Acoustic: Tribute to Peter Tosh rounds out this year's reggae Grammy nomination category.

The Grammy awards are to be presented on February 13.

Source:RadioJamaica
1blackbeauty
Posted: Monday, December 6, 2010 5:46:19 AM

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iman1 wrote:
iMAN1:Listen me...Buju was set up & that was his first offence, didn't

Ti get arrested again?...better yet Buju not American like Ti or Lil

Wayne & once they know he Jamcan & rasta get scrutinized even

more..Therefore no comparison here.

1blackbeauty wrote:
iman1 wrote:
iMAN1:So what is your point...comparing Buju to TI or Lil Wayne...2

different situations on intent of buying or selling drugs or selling








guns.



I had to correct this.

YES, I am comparing him to them. They are all entertainers..who were allowed time to make money and handle personal affairs before they were sent off to petty 1 year jail sentences.

And they were not fist time offenders.

Maybe you should research and see how they are railroading the man, before you make such a reply.







You are the JamP newsreporter...but know nothing that you are so called reporting about. So you think, they giving Buju a hard time because he is Jamaican and a Rasta? Could it have anything to do with trying to make an example of him, for his homophobic lyrics...(which they are trying to censor) or furthing adding to the stereotype that Jamaicans are all drug dealers..and they need to be stopped from entering the US?
I think it has nothing to do with the man being a rasta.

And as I said, it is a shame they are trying t break the mans back.
iman1
Posted: Monday, December 6, 2010 11:35:03 PM

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iMAN1:Listen me...miss blackbeauty, this is my way & also for other pple in the forum to keep up with Jmca's affairs pertaining to Buju Banton, if u don't like it by calling me jamp reporter..bite away Shhh

2ndly..my next post will maybe shut u up for once with a bitter taste of thinking twice.

3dly..i think u got it oh so wrong again, maybe u should post someting on T.i. or lil wayne for a change.
iveylane31
Posted: Friday, December 10, 2010 8:12:42 PM

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FYI-Buju Banton & Friends LIVE at Bayfront Park Ampitheatre in Miami, FL. Get your tickets now at BujuLIVE.com Sunday January 16th 2011 Martin Luther King Weekend, mark your calendars for the most highly anticipated show that will lock down any other show for the entire year, Buju Banton Live on Stage for one night and one night only. There is no other way to start 2011, but to start it with one of the leading Grammy Nominated Reggae Artist, Buju. Just when they thought Mr. Gargamel would stop to dwell on the negativity, Buju rises and comes fourth with friends for Before the Dawn Concert.
1blackbeauty
Posted: Thursday, December 16, 2010 3:15:26 PM

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iman1 wrote:
iMAN1:Listen me...miss blackbeauty, this is my way & also for other pple in the forum to keep up with Jmca's affairs pertaining to Buju Banton, if u don't like it by calling me jamp reporter..bite away Shhh

2ndly..my next post will maybe shut u up for once with a bitter taste of thinking twice.

3dly..i think u got it oh so wrong again, maybe u should post someting on T.i. or lil wayne for a change.






Lord..... you are dumb as hell.


BITE AWAY....my first response was in agreement with your posting..you ijit.
iman1
Posted: Thursday, December 23, 2010 6:07:22 PM

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Buju speaks his mind... on new Delly Ranx produced single

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter



Less than a month after his release from prison, Buju Banton has already recorded a song called Things A Come Up.


The song was recorded on Sunday on Delly Ranx's 'Saudi Arabia' rhythm at Buju's home studio in Tamarac Florida. The rhythm also has songs from Delly Ranx, Wayne Wonder, Gramps Morgan, ZJ Liquid, Teflon and Froggy Madd Squad.

In the song Buju Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, speaks about politics, the defence forces, the economy and violence in Jamaica.

"Stop murder poor people legal and illegal/ It's not a show, who put Jamaica pon go slow/ No money nah run, a just pure blood a flow/ Light bill, water bill and none a dem caan owe/ Labourite, PNP, two a dem a joke," he sings.

The song's producer Delly Ranx said, "wi jus inna di studio and him jus seh 'unleash ranking' and the rest is history."

Working with his friend, who was incarcerated for almost a year, Delly Ranx said it was a joyful occasion.

"Mi just a hold a good vibe wid mi bredda weh mi nuh see in a long while. The vibe was off the chain. The spirit was high. It was an energetic moment," he told THE WEEKEND STAR.

"A mi bredda, anything a anything. Wi just mek music. Wi a show the world that Buju is still alive, he is not dead. Him doing a lot of musical work weh him can mek the people feel happy again."

While he is doing a lot of music, Delly Ranx said Buju misses Jamaica and the people.

"Right now, all him talk bout is how him miss Jamaica people bad. Him just waan go back a Jamaica. Mi just waan dem keep the Gargamel flag flying high," he said.

Buju Banton was granted bail under strict conditions in November after being in prison since last year. For months, he was on trial for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

Meanwhile, Buju Banton received his fifth nomination in the 'Best Reggae Album' category for his new project, Before The Dawn that was recorded at his own Gargamel Music studio.

Released in September, Before The Dawn debuted at number 2 on Billboard's Reggae Albums chart and number 26 on the Mag's Heatseekers chart. Currently, the album is perched at number 1 on both the South Florida and the New York Top 20 Reggae Albums charts, number 1 on Richie B's Jamaica Music Countdown and number 4 on CMJ's World Music chart.

Banton was previously acknowledged by the Recording Academy for his albums Rasta Got Soul (2009), Too Bad (2007), Friends for Life (2004) and Inna Heights (1999).

News of his Grammy nomination comes off the heels of a federal court ruling by Judge James Moody that allows Banton, who is out on bail, to perform at an event in South Florida during Martin Luther King, Jr weekend. Produced by Rocker's Island, the 'Before The Dawn' concert, featuring Buju Banton and friends, will take place on Sunday, January 16, at the Bayfront Park Amphitheater in downtown Miami.

Source:JamaicaStar
iman1
Posted: Monday, January 10, 2011 6:08:22 PM

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More Buju drama - Reggae artist could face additional charges

Buju’s lawyer says new indictment not permissible

BY PAUL HENRY Crime/Court Co-ordinator henryp@jamaicaobserver.com

Thursday, January 06, 2011


WHEN Buju Banton is retried in a United States federal court next month, he could be faced with four counts of cocaine and gun charges instead of the two for which he was tried last September.

In an attempt to increase the likelihood of a conviction, Prosecutor James Preston secured a new grand jury indictment late last year, listing three counts of cocaine-related charges against the four-time Grammynominated reggae artiste, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie. The sole weapon charge remains.

BANTON... faces up to 20 years in prison

But Banton’s legal team, led by David Oscar Markus, is fighting the new indictment on the grounds that it is not permissible for new charges to be brought on old information and that the weapon charge was a violation of the Fifth Amendment.

“The chief danger raised by a multiplicitous indictment is the possibility that the defendant will receive more than one sentence for a single offence,” Markus said, referring to the case of the United States v Swaim, in his application seeking to strike out the new indictment.

An indictment is multiplicitous if it charges a single offence in more than one count.

The artiste was tried last September on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking offence. However, the 12-member panel of jurors was unable to reach a verdict following three days of deliberations. The trial lasted a week in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa, Florida.

But should the new indictment stand, Banton will be tried for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence, and using the wires to facilitate a drugtrafficking offense.

Both sides are now awaiting a ruling from the court on the matter.

If convicted, Banton faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment. The United States Government would also seek to seize the artiste’s assets. A date for the retrial should be set today.

In the application seeking to have the superseding indictment dismissed, Markus noted that there are two fatal flaws. Firstly, the attorney noted, counts one, two and four are multiplicitous; and secondly, count three — the weapon charge — violates the double jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment, which stipulates that “[N]or shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.”

The violation, the attorney said, arises from the fact that there was not sufficient evidence in the last trial to convict his client on the gun charge.

The defence team had, at the conclusion of the first trial, argued for the gun charge to be thrown out, but to no avail.

Regarding the other counts, Markus noted that the government has only alleged one drug transaction, and as such “it should only be permitted to charge that set of facts one time”.

The singer/deejay was arrested December 2009 following a sting operation by United States drug enforcement agents in which two other men — James Mack and Ian Thomas — were nabbed earlier. A gun was found in Mack’s car when he was arrested.

Banton's legal team is contending that he was entrapped by the United States Government. Banton was not on the scene when the men were arrested.

Source: JamaicaObserver
iman1
Posted: Monday, February 7, 2011 2:20:25 AM

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Valentine's Day trial for Buju
BY PAUL HENRY Crime/Court co-ordinator henryp@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, January 27, 2011



JAMAICAN reggae artiste Mark Myrie, better known by his stage name Buju Banton, will on February 14 — Valentine's Day — begin another battle for his freedom in a federal court in the United States where he will be retried on drug and gun-related charges.

The date was set yesterday by Judge James Moody for the highly anticipated second trial in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa, Florida.

"February 14 is Valentine's Day. We hope the jury gives us some love," said the entertainer's attorney David Markus, who expressed hope that his client would be acquitted.

Added Markus: "Buju is optimistic and hopeful. He is in good spirits. He is a rock. No one realises how hard it is to fight the federal government in one trial, let alone two."

Banton was last tried in September on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking offence. However, the 12-member panel of jurors was unable to reach a verdict following three days of deliberations. That trial lasted a little over a week. The second trial is scheduled to last as long.

The trial was supposed to start last December but was postponed so Banton, who is on US$250,000 bail and is subjected to house arrest, could spend time with his family.

It is not yet known if Banton will be tried on the previous charges or the additional charges tacked on by the prosecution in a new indictment. The new indictment is being challenged by the entertainer's legal team, and both the prosecution and defence are awaiting a ruling on the matter.

Should the new indictment stand, Banton will be tried for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence, and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence.

If convicted, Banton faces up to 20 years' imprisonment. The United States Government would also seek to seize the artiste's assets.
Banton was arrested in December of 2009 following the arrests of two other men, Ian Thomas and James Mack, who subsequently pleaded guilty. The gun was actually in the car that Mack drove.


Source:JamaicaObserver
iman1
Posted: Sunday, February 13, 2011 11:10:23 PM

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Big blow for Buju
Published: Wednesday | February 2, 2011


Buju Banton

Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

Days before he faces retrial in a United States court, dancehall star Buju Banton has been dealt a severe blow.

United States District Judge James Moody Jr has dismissed a motion filed by lawyers representing Buju, whose real name is Mark Myrie, seeking to throw out a superseding indictment filed by prosecutors.

This means that when Buju faces the court again, starting February 14, he will be answering five charges instead of the two that he faced in his first trial.

Efforts to contact Buju's lawyer, David Markus, were unsuccessful yesterday, but legal officials in the US agreed that while Buju could still beat the charges, he now has a more difficult mountain to climb.

When he was first arrested in December 2009, Buju was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and aiding and abetting his two co-defendants in knowingly and intentionally possessing a firearm during the course of a drug offence.

The jury was unable to agree ona verdict and the case ended in a mistrial.

Last November, US prosecutors obtained a superseding indictment against Buju which added two additional counts and modified the gun charge.


Lawyers representing Buju rushed to court seeking a dismissal of the superseding indictment, alleging vindictiveness on the part of the prosecutors because of the mistrial and the defence's attempts to get the charges dismissed.

"The court should presume that the new charges and modification were added by the government in retaliation for (the defendant) exercising his constitutional rights," Buju's lawyers argued.

But the prosecutors hit back: "As long as the prosecutor has probable cause to believe the accused has committed a crime, the courts have no authority to interfere with a prosecutor's decision to prosecute."

Judge differs

In his ruling, Moody sided with the prosecution.


"The court concludes that, even assuming, for the purpose of argument, that (the) defendant made a threshold showing that his exercise of pretrial rights was followed by charges of increased severity, (the) defendant is not entitled to a presumption of prosecutorial vindictiveness."

Moody added: "The United States' initial indictment did not foreclose it from bringing further charges against the defendant."


In the meantime, there was some good news for Buju on Monday as a judge upheld his request to have the two men initially charged with him appear in court to give evidence during his retrial.

Buju had asked the court that Ian Thomas and James Mack, his two co-accused, be taken from the jail where they are being held and made available to give testimony.


Thomas and Mack have already pleaded guilty to the charges and are awaiting sentencing. They did not testify during the original trial.

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com

Judge rejects reggae star's claim that new charges should be thrown out ahead of retrial.


Source: Jamaica Gleaner/ Power 106
iman1
Posted: Monday, February 21, 2011 3:02:17 AM

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Verdict in Buju’s drug trial next week


Reggae artiste Buju Banton with lawyer David Markus (R) outside the Sam M. Gibbons courthouse in Tampa.


After more than seven hours of deliberation the 12 member jury considering the fate of Grammy Award winning reggae artiste Buju Banton has not yet arrived at a verdict.


The jury recessed at 4:35 p.m. Friday and will continue deliberations on Tuesday as Monday is President's Day, a public holiday in the United States.

Presiding judge James Moody handed the case to the jurors at 9:40 Friday morning after an half hour long set of instructions to them about how evidence in the case is to be considered
.

Judge Moody told the jurors "You must follow the law as I explain it, (even) if you do not agree with it."

He also said the US government's burden of proof was heavy and that the prosecution did not have to prove Buju's guilt beyond all possible doubt.


Several legal terms relating to the case were also explicitly defined by Judge Moody who asked the jurors to consider only the evidence that he had admitted during the trial including testimony from witnesses and exhibits.

He further asked them not to base their decision on anything he said.

The jurors were also instructed to assess the credibility of witnesses by asking certain key questions like did they have any personal interest in the outcome of the case or if they had good memories.

They were also told to consider some the evidence of some witnesses statements with more caution than others for example, the paid informants, witnesses who had been promised immunity from prosecution or witnesses who hoped to gain favourable treatment in their own cases.

Buju, 37, whose given name is Mark Myrie, has been charged with conspiracy and attempting to possess with the intent to distribute at least 5 kilos of cocaine; possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and using wires to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

If convicted the artiste could face up to life in prison.

Source:RadioJamaica
LowKey
Posted: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 8:59:57 AM

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Fuck dem and their laws!

Its not what you do >> but Y! u do it
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