Buju's dad: I can't explain how I feel

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

BENJAMIN Myrie, father of Jamaican reggae superstar Buju Banton who was yesterday convicted of drug-related charges in the United States, said the guilty verdict that could see his beloved son spending the rest of his life behind bars has left him almost speechless.

"Right now a can't even talk," said a shocked Myrie a little over an hour after the 12-member panel of jurors found Banton guilty of three of four drug and gun-related charges brought against him by the US government.

"I can't even explain how I feel," said a dejected Myrie during a telephone interview.

Myrie's wife, Alga, was too shocked to speak.

"Right now she cannot talk; she is not taking the news so well," a neighbour told the Observer during a visit to her home off Whitehall Avenue in Kingston.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence, and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence by a 12-member panel of jurors.

He was found not guilty on the fourth charge of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

The shock, anger and disappointment were felt by friends of the Grammy-winning artiste who gathered at his Exodus recording studio on Carlisle Avenue, just off Red Hills Road.

"To know that he was a youth who worked hard in the music industry the news that this has happened has shocked all of us," said Ricardo 'Junior Cat' Maragh, who was among those who visited the studio.

"It will certainly take a time to come to terms with what has happened," added Kirk 'Confident' Stuart, another recording artiste.

No one offered much else.

"Right now me boss, to the way the news has left us, there is not anyone who is willing to talk at this point," said an unidentified man at the studio.

The news was also painful for Banton's fans from communities in the Red Hills Road area, and throughout the Corporate Area.

"The news that he was found guilty has left me very sad. I did not know him personally but I loved his music," said Shamille Ewart.

A large crowd was seen inside a bar on Whitehall Avenue discussing the dreadful news. They, too, could not hide their grief.

Banton was arrested at his Tamarac home in South Florida in December 2009, a day after his co-defendants Ian Thomas and James Mack were arrested in a government controlled warehouse in Tampa, Florida attempting to buy cocaine from undercover Drug Enforcement agents.

He was jailed for almost 11 months in the Pinellas County Jail and his first trial in September last year ended in a hung jury, forcing a retrial.

The artiste has consistently pleaded his innocence and claims he was entrapped by the US government.

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COMMENTS (26)

Concerned Jamaican Citizen
2/23/2011

Buju had three things going against him, 1. Alleged Gay Basher 2. Being Black and 3. Jamaican. On the other hand Buju is also going 2 prison 4 Stupidity, he knows that the US of A was always against him. He made them lure him. He basically admitted that he walked the walk & talked the talk but it meant nothing 2 him. I guess that's y they convicted him on the conspiracy charge. yesterday was a sad day 4 the music fraternity and my heart goes out 2 his family. I hope the appeal works 4 him!

Island Patriot
2/23/2011

Also, why is everyone making it seem like reggae music will now die! What there aren't any other artists?? The prison bars shouldn't stop Buju's gift to the world, if anything it'll be a learning lesson and a testament that will make his music even better, as evidenced from his current album he birthed from going through this debacle, and look at the results it got him? A Grammy, and even more fans!

Island Patriot
2/23/2011

Not to stir up more anger, but what "entrapment"? Nobody put a gun to Buju's head when he allowed himself to be engaged in conversation about drugs on the plane! And why did he even go to the warehouse (even if he was afraid since they called his bluff) and taste the cocaine? God go with him indeed. Yes it was a foolish mistake on his part, unfortunately it was an opportunity for his opponents to get a pound of flesh! Still how can we call it entrapment when he allowed himself to be vulnerable!

howie J
2/23/2011

Kellie Stewart, I listen to Buju’s anti-gay song, but in no way can that song influence my behavior. Buju song has not led a single Jamaican to act violently towards any gay. Conversely, the fact that Americans commit suicides at such an alarming rate shows that they are of much weaker minds and therefore are far more likely to be influenced to commit violence, than your average Jamaican. In other words, Americans are petty, emotional people who are attention seekers and will do anything to be socially accepted. We have seen where an abortion doctor and politicians were shoot and killed as a result of how easily Americans can be influenced.

Liz Barnett
2/23/2011

I honestly think this was a case of entrapment. Regardless, one man's drug dealer is another man's entrepeneur sometimes you have to open your eyes and think out of the box, who decides, what is legal to sell and buy anyway? And who gets punished for it? Do people with no education and no other way, have much of a choice, as Damian Marley said, "A Ghetto education is basic, and when dem waste it, dem tek di guns replace it" every man just trying to survive. Who is the judge? The sinless person

howie J
2/23/2011

The last figure I saw, puts the amount of hate groups in the U.S. at a shocking 2000. America’s right-wing domestic terrorists not only publicly express their hate for gays, blacks, Jews, Obama, and other minority groups, but they have acted upon those hateful words time and time again thru’ out America’s history. They built hate-filled web sites, talk on radios, blog their hate and every now and then get approval to gather in town squares. They shoot up Jewish museum, commit racial hoaxes, and shoot government officials and all the evidences are there to show that they do not hide and nobody puts them under surveillance. They are protected by their constitution and only break the law after murdering somebody.

mike willy
2/23/2011

I attempted to say what George Watson is saying and I was classified as gay for defending gay people.
The fact of the matter is to each is his own, if a person wants to go that way, thats their buisness and their lifestyle, you may not agree with with it, so leave them alone, don't "bun" then and induce violence against them.
Gay people are very united, very powerful with very high influence and are protected by law. If you mess with them they can make your life very uncomfortable.

U.S Liberal odean
2/23/2011

Well buju is in a very tough situation. first if he appeal it is unlikely that he will win considering that the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal which represent (FL, GA, and AL) is one of the most conservative circuits on the issue of drugs charges. he would have a better chance in the 2nd circuit court of appeals which represents (NY, CT, VT,) or in the 9th Circuit which represents ( CA, WA, et al.) than he will have in the 11th circuit. anyway you take it he is going to prison for sometime.

Patrick junior
2/23/2011

Rmember that Buju did not just get up a wrote a song just to bash battyman (gays). The song was a response to a incident in the community where he is from. A battyman (gay) had raped a young boy, and the song was a response to that situation. So ever since it was blown out of the water that he is a gay basher.

Syeula Kye
2/23/2011

Honestly mi nuh get why on every ting about Buju the gay keep saying oh he shouldnt have spoken negatively about gays and blah blah blah. Mi tiyad a de same song. Though the gays know now why he wrote the song they still choose to use it to gain attention. Thats all it is. They made boom bye bye more known than it ever was. They used Buju to get their name out there and to get support for these gay groups. Get over the same ole tired talk.

Esmore Gillings
2/23/2011

(7) Did he know he was going to the warehouse to look at a cocaine, no he didn't?
(8) Why did the informer didn't call his manager to talk about legitimate business deal, even though he was given the number to do so; let me tell you, he didn't call Tracey because that was not the mission the Gay community and whomever else sent him on.

Esmore Gillings
2/23/2011

Questions:
(1) Who did the $135,000 belongs to, not Buju.
(2) Where the hell is Ike and Tyke?
(3) How comes Alexander Johnson, was just conveniently placed beside one of the most hated Jamaicans in the US on an eight long flight?
(4) How comes Buju have never met Mack?
(5) Why was Thomas telling Johnson to leave Buju alone, because the man not interested.
(6) How can someone be guilty of possessing a gun that he has never even seen?

Esmore Gillings
2/23/2011

Its not over until its over. Appeal is coming and there is still an opportunity for him to turn all this poison into medicine.
To all the bloggers who were in the minds of the jury, the prosecution did not prove their case beyond all reasonable doubts, I say this before this stunk of entrapment and I will continue to say that until it is proven otherwise.
Tell me that he is guilty by association and nothing else.

Till Mi nuh know
2/23/2011

stanley i personally believe that if you dont have anything positive to say just please do me and others the pleasure by shuting that mouth of yours. "let he that is without sin cast the first stone". I assume you have never ever made a mistake in your life so that why you are saying those things? memba dis: "today fi mi tomorrow fi yuh"

Kellie Stewart
2/23/2011

Mr. Anderson, for your information...a thief can indeed be born a thief. The scientific term for such a person is a kleptomaniac, which is defined as: "somebody with an obsessive urge to steal, especially when there is no economic necessity". Mr. Anderson, there are genetic variances. I suspect, with time, scientists will give a name to the one in people who get pleasure from dancing to songs calling for murder.

Jade July
2/23/2011

@ Stanley conti: just like how gays "think they should be feel to live their lifestyle, then others should be free to express their opinion or disagreement with that lifestyle. and Buju will not soon be forgotten. Besides how many people are freed in the USA every year after spending years in prison which the Gov had strong cases against only for the persons to be found innocent, many more are still there and guess what approximately 90% of them are black men.

Anthony II
2/23/2011

Lesson to Jamaicans: Take responsibility for your actions. Your personal actions have consequences, not only for you but also for other people, including your family members who love you. We have too many people who are too quick to always blame other people and other things for what results from their personal actions. We live in a "Satan" culture, where this fictional character has a place of pre-eminence, because he/she is responsible for all our personal actions, not us! Take responsibility!

Jade July
2/23/2011

Some of you are talking about taking responsibility and consequences for ones action, What action by the prosecutors own case Buju was not aware that drugs was in the warehouse or that there was even a drug deal being hatched, even their recording was edited to suite their case. He is more guilty by association. @ George seems you will make headlines again, but people should be free to express their opinion we can't all agree @ Stanley buffet I disagree with you about the Jamaican thing

C. Brown
2/23/2011

G. Watson, goh park one side...nobody nuh born gay, soh nuh badda try dat, unless yu a one a dem..
Buju can only blame himself for is current position, he now knows that him should a never get mix up with those people, because he knows when tings happen every man a goh look out fi dem self. In the end every man tek a deal and lef him to fight alone..But Buju mi bredda, have faith, u shall rise again.....
Boom bye bye wi sey and wi nah stop sey dat.."It's not an easy road", wi done know dat.

ann g
2/23/2011

Buju is more of an icon now than he ever was...man will eventually learn that they are not God

Mr. Anderson
2/23/2011

OK george Watson... and a thief was born a thief. Being gay is a behaviour that is learned sir... don't try to make an excuse for it. It is also an illegal act in Jamaica (FULLSTAP)
Get over it!
Long live Buju... and boom bye bye will play even more in the parties now.

Chuck Emanuel
2/23/2011

We all do make mistakes and choices in life. The bottom line is that , People must be held Accountable for their actions.

stanley buffett
2/23/2011

brother george I disagree with you the gay people from hollywood gave the grammy,it is a jamaican thing I stand large no one can touch me respect is the other we got to learn to respect other people,he was not the only artist bash gays I think shaba did it too,the man try a thing and got caught there is a lot got away he was the unlucky one the usa gov knew that the boys from jamaica are user and hustler so they keep their eye on them

stanley buffett
2/23/2011

whatever people may think he soon will be forgotten, the emotions will fade and it will be just a who was buju,the rastas need to strength their faith all that beating of drums and jumping did not work, the prayers did not work either,when uncle sam say I want you he mean he will get you,I felt it for his dad i am a father also,it could have been worst,jamaica he would have a chance usa very difficult,now everyone got to move on,with a lesson from this take the long road,no shot cuts,

stanley buffett
2/23/2011

now it is over what next for him?it appears the gov has a strong case against him, its sad the only reason why there is so much emotion going around is because of who he is,this happen everyday to people without status, Buju is young he got a lot of time to reckon was there a plea bargain before if there was why did`nt he take it,maybe advise from his atorney, case like that always offer plea bargain,the camera dont lie, he was caught tasting the stuff,acording to evidence

george watson
2/23/2011

Despite our sadness Buju’s conviction is probably a lesson for us all. We shouldn’t go out of our way to ridicule those who are different than us. I have taken the view that most gays and lesbians are born like that. I can’t for the life of me understand why people would want to do something for which there is so much ridicule and scorn even in countries that are more accepting than ours.
If Buju hadn’t made that recording when he was a wee lad of 19 he would still be a free man. That is just my belief.
A fact of life is that one in every 2000 has two sexual organs. Unbelievable. Let us be more tolerant of each other and remember we don’t all think or act alike.

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Buju's dad: I can't explain how I feel