JAMAICAN Reggae star Buju Banton, must languish for another week in the Pinellas County Jail in Tampa, Florida before he will know if he will be granted bail.

United States Judge Anthony Porcelli today reserved judgement in the bail hearing for the artiste and said he would make a ruling next week. Porcelli said he wanted to thoroughly review the arguments put forth by the defence and prosecution before making a judgement.

Banton's lawyer David Markus, is contending that his client is not a flight risk because of his popularity and  says he will seek a bond in an immigration court if Banton is given bail.

But prosecutor James Preston is staunchly opposing bail on the grounds that Banton is indeed a flight risk and asked for the application to be thrown out without a hearing.

Banton has been in jail since December last year when he arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine.

Last week a panel of jurors failed to arrive at a unanimous verdict forcing the case to end in a mistrial.

A date in December has been set for a retrial but Porcellii did not set a date today.

It is expected that the date will be set when the ruling is made next week.

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