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News
Buju's countdown - star’s loved ones grow more nervous
— sentencing Thursday
BY PAUL HENRY Crime/Court Desk co-ordinator henryp@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, June 20, 2011
ANXIETY is increasing among close friends and key supporters of Grammy Award-winning Jamaican reggae artiste Buju Banton as the reggae singer's sentencing date draws closer.
The artiste, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, will on Thursday be sentenced in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa, Florida. The sentence comes four months after Banton's conviction on drug-related charges in February.
Yesterday, Banton's friends and supporters told the Observer that they were nervous about the possibility of him going to prison for an extended period. They also expressed concern about the emotional and financial well-being of Banton's 15 children.
"I just hope the judge doesn't give him a long time in prison," said reggae promoter and friend Hopie Miller, who lives in Florida.
"I'm anxious. You know how it is with me when it comes to Buju."
Miller said she visited Banton in lock-up on two occasions, where she broke down in tears and had to be consoled by the artiste.
Worry over Banton's sentencing has reached a fever pitch since federal district Judge James S Moody Jr pushed back the original June 16 date.
"I'm very anxious. All the experts are saying a lot of things. I hear a lot of talk, but you don't know what will happen because they are not the judge," said close friend O'niel Dunkley who resides in Florida.
"It's something we talk about a lot... I don't think he deserves what is coming to him, it's not like he was a drug pusher or anything. I feel bad for his kids."
A friend of Buju's from California, who goes by the name Nicole Rasta, added: "I feel stressed, exhausted and sorry for him. I feel like I lose someone close to my heart. And not even that, who is going to take care of his children?"
Banton was convicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence.
The conviction follows an initial trial in September of last year which ended without the jurors being able to reach a verdict.
The artiste was arrested in December 2009, resulting from a covert operation.
Banton faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years. However, his legal team, led by David Oscar Markus, is seeking a sentence below the mandatory minimum.
Yesterday, Markus told the Observer: "Buju remains optimistic and hopeful. He is a true warrior, from the days of the old school. I won't stop fighting for him."
The week before last, renowned actors, athletes and fellow performers joined Banton's children in making an impassioned plea for leniency in handing down his sentence. Among them were American actor Danny Glover, NBA player Etan Thomas, Vibe Magazine editor-at-large Rob Kenner and reggae artiste Stephen Marley.
 
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6/23/2011
Oh poor Buju. My heart bleeds. Rot in jail. Prisons are full of "good people" who "don't deserve" to be there. Ya right.
Lube up, batty boy! Karma is a mother.
6/21/2011
my thoughts and prayers are with u always xx Please Lord watch over Buju and help the judge see sense and set him free.........x blessed love little 5 year old Grace and mummy Kath sista k xx
6/21/2011
Buju i pray for u everyday, ur always in my thoughts mi friend.....i kno i can feel it ur innocent.......The Almighty is holdin u tight..........i hope ur home soon with ur family xx i love ur music and words ur a blessing x love always kath sista k x
6/20/2011
I am not familiar with Buju's music since I am not able to relate to the current forms of Reggae but posters re-read Henry's comment below. It is indeed a mandatory sentence for a convicted felon. There is no way God, testimonials, character references esp. family values (smile) will influence the judge in handing down the sentence. The law is the law here and there is no beating around it. He will be just joining the millions of blacks in the prison system. Get your GED and degree & relax
6/20/2011
Observer where is my post?, i thought it was so eloquent and relevant! too controversial? come on! buss me nuh man!
6/20/2011
The Public do not know the true sources beyond this trial and conviction. The inside of this whole issue is only known by those involved; we the public can only speculate and sympathize. We've heard that DEA officials have no evidence to support the idea that BANTON is a drug smuggler. But we've not heard if Banton was the financier beyond this deal; and if he was caught with a Gun in his possession in which he was also found guilty of. There are several questions to be answered; very complex:
6/20/2011
I am anti-discrimination; I am anti-prejudice; I am anti-treating any human being other than that, a human being. I am anti-Boom-bye-bye; I am against any form of injustice. I am a black Jamaican male, the descendants of slaves; so I cannot think otherwise. Yet, I find myself holding out hope that leniency could be exercised, despite mandatory sentencing requirements. I am sure that Mr. Myrie understands now how it feels when people set upon you.
6/20/2011
Buju may be used as an example to send a message. Our entertainer need to get their act together and know they are not invincible. The silly tribal wars and foul lyrics are causing them to not only have the doors to foreign ports shut in their faces; they are also causing other Jamaicans to suffer the same fate.
Perhaps it can only take outside influence to set things aright in this little hellhole of ours.
6/20/2011
Well I know Buju is strong and all his songs become reality now so let us pray to God that this earthly judge be lenient.
6/20/2011
I think he put himself in this position. i dont hear anyone crying for all those people who lose a love one to criminals looking for money to by drugs. If you are not a dealer then if you get approach by someone then you should stay away from the, I am speaking from personal experience he did this to himself. I love his music but he ought to know better.
6/20/2011
Mandatory sentence in the USA means just that. Buju can remain hopefull but things might turn out to be just that. This isn't JA where a man get 30yrs for multiple offenses and serve only 10yrs because the sentence run concurrently.
6/20/2011
If and when the Probation Dept send these letters of leniency to the Judge, he will, "or might view them before handing down his judgment. It boil's down to the nature of the charges or crime. Our problem here in Europe is the fact that it is not clear in Today's Modern World; why the part he had played in the role of Conspiracy is kept silent. The public is not allowed to hear this side of the issue. Evidence that he was found with a Gun, and had financed the purchasing of Drugs. Not allowed?:
6/20/2011
Some of these reports we've been getting is not accurate; it's very conflicting. Last week it was stated here that various pleas from his Children and friends were sent to the Judge asking for leniency. I've received an official information from the clerk of the court after a number of us from my Company and Church sent a letter to the Judge asking for leniency; it say's all letters should be directed to the Probation department and not to the Judge, these letters would be sent to him...cont
6/20/2011
I have this feeling that the judge will be using this opportunity to send a message to Jamaicans about drug trafficking. They might even use this case to send a message of what Mass Dudus should expect in his upcoming trial.
Crunch time is upon us.
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