'Please spare our dad' — Buju's kids appeal to judge

Reggae artiste’s kids, Danny Glover, NBA star Etan Thomas, Stephen Marley write to judge urging compassion

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

Sunday, June 12, 2011

'PLEASE, spare our dad.' This is the emotional plea from four of the 15 children of Grammy Award-winning artiste Buju Banton to Judge Jim Moody ahead of the reggae artiste's sentencing on gun and drug-related charges on June 23 in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa Florida.

The siblings' letters for mercy form part of a document filed last week by Banton's legal team seeking a reduced sentence for the Jamaican artiste, who is facing 15 years to life behind bars. The letters are also among others penned by the likes of renowned actor Danny Glover, NBA player Etan Thomas, Vibe Magazine editor-at-large Rob Kenner and reggae artiste Stephen Marley.

In their letters, the children pour out their hearts, as they explain what their father, whose real name is Mark Myrie, means to them.

"My father is a great person. He always make us smile when he is around...," said Jahazeil, 14. "I love my father so much. He always care about us and encourages us to do the best we can and I miss him because there is no father like him."

Banton's daughter Jodian, who at 21 is the artiste's eldest child, noted in her letter: "My father is a very hardworking man who puts a lot of time — basically his entire life — into his music and family."

Seven-year-old Jahleel, in his letter, said: "My father was always there for me and I will be there for him. He was the only person that understands the way I feel... My father is the world to me, and I am to him."

Eighteen-year-old Shadai described her father as "the backbone of my family".

She added: "Without him many things would not be possible. He is there for myself, my sisters and brothers, both financially and emotionally. He motivates each of us when we feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. How then could we picture a comfortable life without our main source of comfort?"

Banton was convicted in February 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 a first trial in September of last year which ended without the jurors being able to reach a verdict. He was arrested in December 2009, resulting from a covert operation.

Last Thursday, Banton's legal team filed the document asking for a sentence below the mandatory minimum of 15 years behind bars, which the lawyers are contending would be cruel and unusual punishment.

In his letter to the court, Glover describes himself as a friend of Banton's, and noted that the artiste is "considered one of the most influential reggae musicians" and that his "Grammy-Award winning music" addresses every aspect of life and "feeds the heart, mind, body and soul, bringing a message of hope". "Not only is Mr Myrie a great musician with a great deal of work ahead of him," Glover added, "he is also a role model, philanthropist, and spiritual leader of the community."

Noted Kenner of Vibe Magazine: "He is religious and has travelled to the Holy Land to attend prayers in Golgotha Ethiopian Monastery, Jerusalem. Mark Myrie is one of the leading voices of his generation. His music sheds light on such issues as the unrelenting violence and abject poverty pervasive in the Third World."

Meanwhile, Marley, the son of reggae icon Bob Marley, said that Banton was like a brother to him and asked the judge to be "compassionate to Mark".

Thomas, who plays for the NBA team Atlanta Hawks, described Banton as "an extremely positive inspiration" in his life and "countless people around the world, especially black men".

Said Thomas: "...His music helped keep me out of trouble and encouraged me to perform to the best of my ability, no matter the challenge. ...It is for this reason I hope to have Mr Myrie included as one of the fathers... in my book on fatherhood: a guide to being a good father. Mr Myrie willingly accepted to participate without any request for financial gain. He is truly a humble man who makes himself accessible to all who reach out to him."

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COMMENTS (20)

jodian mussington
6/22/2011

We all can make stipulations and speculate..his personal life and how much kids he has has nothing to do with what he is convicted of,neither is the colour of his skin or the number of women he has kids with.. if he is guilty... no sin should go unpunish,who are we to determine the sentence an individual gets,we are ot the creator,things happen!and if he is innocent well god help him. he is just mirroring society on an artistic level,yet that doesnt justify his actions

mark holford
6/17/2011

Why no mention of his promotion of violence and murder against homosexuals?

Norman Lee
6/14/2011

@critical thinker, Buju can present that argument if he appeal.

Norman Lee
6/14/2011

Buju has the right to appeal his conviction and sentence, which he may consider. There are far more than 15 children that potentialy their lives could have been wrecked by drugs obtained from the activities that Buju was convicted for. I have not heard any of his children or "baby- mothers" said that he is innocent! Every criminal act has its reward or punishment. Buju's conviction will hopefully serve as warning to other of his ilk. ....you do the crime you do the time!

MR C C
6/13/2011

@Nicolas Henry. You are an idiot! Your comments show they type of person you are. There is nothing wrong with having many kids, as long as you can afford to provide them with all they need. Don't ever make stupid comments about Black and Backward. You disgust me!

howie J
6/12/2011

If I am to follow the logic of some of these negative comments then, it is ok for an adult to deceive a child because she likes candies or the rich and powerful to take advantage of the poor, because it is always the naïve little girl and the poor who are too stupid to identify their deceivers. Here we have a rich and powerful government with all the resources at its disposal that hounded an otherwise innocent man and trapped him. Why in God’s name the government of Jamaica does not want to find out why Buju was placed under surveillance by U.S. government is beyond me.

Anthony II
6/12/2011

Imagine, in our "enlightened self-righteousness," using the word "nigger" to classify those who do not agree with us! And, of course, those using the word would have us believe just how conscious and on the side of justice they are. As for the attempts at reverse psychology ("he that is without sin cast the first stone"; "if you do not support my point of view/Buju you are a "ni...."): Give it a break. It will not with people who hold strong opinions or who stand up for what they believe.

Elli Deedo
6/12/2011

@ Critical thinker: I'am with you on this, some of our Niggers just cannot see injustice. This is an indication that they are no better than the oppressors who uses their authority and racism to continue condemn the black people on this planet. Authoritarianism; their prisons must continue to be filled with Blacks sent there on Chump up charges as a tradition and a modern days slave style. The blood of our innocent people on their hands is not enough. Modern days pharoahs your days is at hands

Elli Deedo
6/12/2011

Some of the negative comments might be true, but we must remember that all of us on this planet Earth are vulnerable to mistakes which oftin times can be very disastrous. I'am not in support of any illegal activities; but it's clear that this Brother was not given a fair trial, based on what was published in the media. He was not found in possession of a Gun and drugs; the evidence to authenticate the claim of conspiracy is not clear. Self-opinionated views are oftin times out of context:

pete delisser
6/12/2011

Its always the children who have to suffer in the end- sins of the daddy. Buju shouldv come clean, like his associate who got a much reduced sentence. I dont do drugs or deal with drugs, neither am I interested in drugs- theres no way in hell I couldve been 'trapped'. Wish them all well, but judge is not going to make one special sentence more lenient, than others- bad precedent. AND Buju has 15 children?? OMG..where did he find the time?? I can barely manage my 2, no wonder he hates gays. OMG 1

critical thinker
6/12/2011

Judge Moody should just do away with this federal govt charade and rule 'time served' and let this innocent man go free. You just cannot invite someone to place "X" to show them "item B" and when they arrive at place "X" to see the "item B" as promised, you instead unveil the illegal "item C". Then you call the police and federal officials who paid you money to set the person up, and say the person conspired to deal illegal "item C". I'm amazed that we niggers still see nothing wrong with this!

Leopold McPherson
6/12/2011

15 childen.....are you kidding me.

Bal Ance
6/12/2011

Nicolas keep 'blacks and backward' out of your conversation, unless you really want to show yourself up

Marcia Stampp-Brown
6/12/2011

There are no angels living on earth so he who is without sin cast the first stone. If light could turn to day a lot of us would have to run away. Buju like many of us has done things that he is not proud of.I do not condone with wrong but that does not mean that I cannot forgive the wrong. Buju and his kids need to stay strong and remember that they will arise from this furnace as pure gold.

Deanna W
6/12/2011

Nicholas and Jaye you echo my thoughts exactly.

Hunter Hearst
6/12/2011

I sympathize with his kids and friends who obviously want to lend their support. I mean 15 years is waaay too much time for what he is accused of doing. But Danny Glover calling him a role model is a bit much. How does the author of Driver A become a role model? I realise he has written highly conscious lyrics (Untold Stories, Destiny, Tribal War, Murderer, etc) but I find Driver A to be disturbing and NOT the kind of lyrics a "role model" should be putting out there.

Ramon Castro
6/12/2011

I feel the pain for his children. However if you do the crime you must do the time -- 15 years to life is way too excessive for the crime in which he was convicted. Personally, and I an no fan of Mr Myrie's music. but I think the jury was hijacked by the USA judicial system to come up with a guilty verdict. Fifteen to life for being a fool with a loud mouth and being entrapped by zealous prosecution is way over the top. I hope the judge uses his discretion.

Jaye Stone
6/12/2011

He has all of 15 kids already? Perhaps the jail term could double as family planning.

Nicolas Henry
6/12/2011

Buju you should have tek a plea bargain and call it a day. Mandatory sentence in the USA means just that. Your chances of getting a reduced sentence is extremely unlikely. By the way how much baby mada u have dem 15 kids with? Where is your moral values? Why women stoop so low & just go round & get kids with a man because he's a 'entertainer'. Woman can stoop low sah, nuh wanda y blacks so backwards. Buju you should serve a couple of years, if it's even for your stupidity, just like Oj Simpson.

Steve Miller
6/12/2011

Buju should have thought about his children, freinds and all Rastafarians who believe thst drugs ( NOT HERBS) is of Babylon, that guns is the tool of all evilmen, before him did go play out "Don Man", poppyshow style.

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'Please spare our dad' — Buju's kids appeal to judge