Buju offered bail under strict terms

By Paul Henry Observer staff reporter henryp@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, October 15, 2010

JAMAICAN reggae star Buju Banton was yesterday afternoon offered bail in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court, 10 months after he was arrested on drug and gun charges in Florida.

Bail was offered in the sum of US$250,000 with security. However, the artiste, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, will not be immediately released as his lawyer, David Oscar Markus, will now have to seek bond in the immigration court to prevent his deportation to Jamaica. Banton entertainment visa was revoked when he was arrested last December at his Tamarac home.

Shortly after the hearing yesterday, Markus told the Observer that he was not certain when the application will be made in the immigration court but said that it would be very soon.

As part of Banton's bail condition, he will have to wear an electronic monitoring device and will be subjected to house arrest and 24-hour security, to be paid for by the defence.

Under the terms of the house arrest, Banton can only leave his house for meetings with his attorney, for doctor's appointments, to purchase medication and for court-appointed hearings. He will also be subjected to drug testing. The artiste is also required to attend all his pre-trial hearing and all other court appointments.

Yesterday, it was stipulated that notice must be filed with the court by the defendant of the security detail. As well, the government must have knowledge of the security detail.

If an agreement is made by the defendant and government regarding the security detail, there is no need for further hearing but if the government opposes, a hearing will be set, the court ordered.

While on bail, the artiste can commit no other federal, state or local crime.

Banton will have to surrender his passport and cannot apply for travel documents.

Banton's bond comes a week after a hearing, which itself followed shortly the ending of his drug trial in a hung jury. A retrial will be held in December but a date is yet to be set. There will be pre-trial review hearings before the retrial starts.

POST A COMMENT

You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.

COMMENTS (22)

howie J
10/15/2010

Why is it that in the 15th century when the Portuguese went to African and Japan, the Africans embraced them but the Japanese thought they looked like devils and chased them away? Aren’t these two different attitudes toward foreigners’ proofs of who would be slaves and who would rise to great power? One approached life with maturity, while the other with the simple minds of children. The U.S. for reasons known only to them spend $000 to track Buju for 1 year and in the end they found no proof of him dealing, when left on his own, so they had to step up the game to influence him to settle a vendetta against him.

Elli Deedo
10/15/2010

@ Bro Bogle, I' have no intention of lecturing anyone. My views are not meant to convince others. When we do a exam every one doe's not arrive with the same answers, some have failed. I also do not practise to infringe on the ideas of others to express my views. I'am not saying you are; it's just that we all have a difference of opinions. I like your private attack!! Respect: I have not yet identified his act of conspiracy, if he has. Therefore I'am prepared to work with what have been revealed

Jerry Berman
10/15/2010

Wait for round 2, when the two co-conspirators start giving testimony against the dread. The dread is financially strapped, as many cancelled concerts and very little record sales (free download ), push the dread to move from a passive investor in the pharma business to risk taker in the direct trade. He saw an opportunity to make better ROI by having what he thought was a direct link to the sources of the substance and allow himself to be setup. Good luck buju, the FEDS have you by the baxxx!

Hotta Fire
10/15/2010

Non of you baldheads have the power to crucify the rastaman. Guilty or not, shut the hell up, because banton do more for Jamaica than all of u put together.

mad max
10/15/2010

Elli Deedo conspiracy charge is no joke...we may very well see the two other accused testify against buju in the next trial..they only took the plea deal one week before the trail they may be groomed from then till the next trail to testify against him

PL BOGLE
10/15/2010

@Elli Deedo I was refraining from commenting on this topic but at the same time i couldn't help but notice that your thoughts are still discombobulated! Are you willing to put your head on a block to say that Buju is not a drug dealer? I have different reservations & it has nothing to do w/ what i read in the news, it’s a real life story. I notice that anyone who disagrees w/ Buju's innocents are labeled as unpatriotic, tearing down the country & also get hit with a mild essay from you. Apply the same effort for the many J’cans who are incarcerated in the USA. Let’s get an essay about that! PEACE.

Elli Deedo
10/15/2010

The Prosecution cannot reneged it's promise to allow one of the admitted co-conspirator to simply say, if Buju is involve, "or not, and is expecting us to believe he is a Conspirator?. We are in doubt as to Buju's part of the Crime, if he has any. The demonstration against this injustice must begin at Our Embassy in Kingston. We need justice, slavery is over, America must do better. Heads without flesh, SKulls can support injustice, I wont. It's time we move and stop arguing. Still no justice.

Elli Deedo
10/15/2010

Why do I have interest in this case so much?") because of the terminology of this subject, which have been used to incarcerate Mr Myrie; (Conspiracy) Joint planning of a Crime. If Buju is not a drug dealer, why would he conspire with anybody to deal in drugs?, why, if he did, has the prosecution failed to keep it's promise to bring at lease one of the admitted co- conspirators (who were available) to say that Buju was involved?" Avoid those who can bring the truth to light ?": Justice?" Where?")

Elli Deedo
10/15/2010

INTIMIDATION: Buju is now Psychologically traped within himself. He has been made to think that he had committed a offence. He has now been surrounded with another intimidating bulk of injustices, and infringement of his rights; while a State prosecutor continues to Scavenge for evidence of his Guilt. First have him charged for Conspiracy, then Scavenge for the evidence. Never herd of a trial based on greviance rather than Facts. Sound's like a Frankenstein Movie, Doomed to death,"Or Skulls.

Wilfred Gray
10/15/2010

THEY took away the chains, but used them brains`, it has not proven the man commits any crime..guess what; so what, freedom blues!

Chuck Emanuel
10/15/2010

Conditions are usually applied to the grant of bail in the U.S, such as living at a particular address or having someone act as surety, if the courts considers that this is necessary. The goal is to prevent absconding, committing further offences, interference with witnesses and for the defendant's own protection.
People need to cease with the slogans, sentiments and sound-bite assertions masquerading as facts about "imprisoning people without just cause".
Where does our Justice system work ?

Cee Dubya
10/15/2010

"While on bail, the artiste can commit no other...crime."
.
I don't like this sentence. The "other" is a bother - seems loaded with presupposition. It hasn't been proven that he's committed a crime in the first place - the jury is "still out on that". (Pun not intended, really.)

Yard Vibz
10/15/2010

Well, after 10 months & several thousands $s, Markus has finally penetrated the tough US justice system & garnered some fresh air for his cash-deprived client. Although this development brings hope & encouragement to Myrie, the condition under which he has to operate on the other side of the bars, may have robbed him of the customary joyous spirit that is usually exhibited by a man who has been released from jail. Perhaps the rigid bail terms are designed to decorate his acct with minus signs.

Brooklyn Jamaican
10/15/2010

These sorts of arrangements take place all the time. Its better than being locked in jail

D Lady
10/15/2010

I love Buju and I have been a fan from the beginning; but he helped to make this bed of affliction that he is lying in. I'm not saying he is guilty of a crime, but he helped set himself up! Why do this in the states, and not back home where he at least has a couple of dirty politicians and cops in your pocket. I do not agree with the way the US is handling the case, but he has to own some of this trouble he is going through. For the life of me, I don’t understand why he tasted the coke!

Jerry Berman
10/15/2010

Given the condition of the bail, I would have opt to spend the next few months in jail, courtesy of the Federal Government. The money being spent on 24-hour security detail would have be better spent on his defense. I hope his lawyer won't be appealing for monetary help from "his" Jamaican sympathizer to help defray the cost? I thought he had no money?

The Emperor
10/15/2010

glad the bail application was successful but what harsh conditions! better to be home than behind bars still
Blessed Love

Tarnya Lindo
10/15/2010

Well i find it unfair that the government is trying to deport someone cause they were hit with a charge that he hasn't being convicted of. I thought u were innocent until proven guilty but n this case he was condemn the minute he was arrested.

Hotta Fire
10/15/2010

The conqueirng lion shall break every chain.

10/15/2010

What I can't understand,is why is it that Buju Banton have to pay the security fees?

Jay Brown
10/15/2010

These terms are onerous and unjust.
Why does he have to pay for 24hrs security , I cannot recall bail conditions being this strict.
Cannot leave his house to get food?
Seems like they are saying he was better off behind bars.

george watson
10/15/2010

I am very happy for him. I am not entirely convinced of his innocence but I think the U.S. must stop "setting up" people to commit crimes that they wouldn't commit in the ordinary course of events.
In the meantime why can't our bail restrictions be similar to what we read here. We have people arrested for numerous murders on the streets committing more murders either as revenge or to fund their defence.
We cannot afford not to do it. In any case the defence is funding it.

Do you feel buying into Facebook now is a good investment for the long-run?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Teen killed for laughing at man who fell from bicycle

Buju offered bail under strict terms