Gays set up Buju, say Jamaicans in Florida

THE BUJU BANTON TRIAL

BY PAUL HENRY Sunday Observer staff reporter henryp@jamaicaobserver.com

Sunday, September 19, 2010

TAMPA, Florida — Jamaicans in Florida have consistently poured out their support for jailed international Reggae star Buju Banton. His songs get good rotation here and there was even a short-lived 'Free Buju' movement.

As the entertainer's Monday trial date looms, supporters living here have expressed their desire to see the four-time Grammy nominee freed of the drug-related charges against him.

Some supporters here believe that the artiste is innocent and that he had been set up. They are, however, split on just who set up the Banton, whose given name is Mark Myrie.

On one hand there are those who believe, as Banton's legal team is contending, that the Government had set up the artiste. But there are those who believe that he was set up by the "powerful and influential" gay community.

One of those who believes that the gay community is behind the arrest of the artiste — whose anti-homosexual lyrics have earned their wrath -- is Kenyo Rose, 33, of Tampa.

"I believe the gay community is behind the arrest because of the fight they always give him," Rose, himself a Reggae artiste who goes by the name J Rose, formerly Wicked, told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

"In the US the gay community has a lot of power and money too. When somebody wants you they are going to find a way to get you," said Rose.

Banton and the gay community have been at odds since the 1990s when he made the monster hit single Boom Bye Bye, which advocates death for homosexuals. The gay community's protests have led to several of the artiste's shows in the United States being cancelled.

The years of acrimony between Banton and the gay community and the financial toll it has taken on the artiste forced Banton last year October to meet with members of the gay community in Los Angeles.

Though Rose feels that Banton may be innocent, he said the only way the artiste could walk was if he cuts a deal with prosecutors.

Another Jamaican, who gave her name as Kizzy, did not want to ascribe innocence or guilt to the artiste but said that Banton deserved a second chance, in that he should be acquitted.

"I think he deserves a second chance," Kizzy, 33, told the Sunday Observer. "But if he did what they say he did, that's wrong.

Another Jamaican, who gave his name only as Donovan and who is a soldier in the US army, said Banton deserved prison if he is found guilty as charged. Donovan, who was visiting family in this city, bemoaned what he said was a great deal of drug-related crimes being committed in Jamaica.

The trial against Banton is expected to start tomorrow at the Middle District Court in this Florida city.

Banton and two other men — James Mack and Ian Thomas — were arrested last year in south Florida and charged with conspiracy to possess more than five kilogrammes of cocaine with intent to distribute. Mack was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offence.

However, Banton's two co-accused recently copped plea deals with prosecutors, agreeing to testify against the artiste in return for light sentences.

Banton's legal team said it was not perturbed by the development, and expressed confidence that a jury would return a not guilty verdict.

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COMMENTS (28)

Elli Deedo
9/19/2010

@howie J; several is ready to condemn Buju, without any internal understanding of how the American justice mechanism works. Their intelligence have various ways to frame a person , win in court and the person is gone down for many years..Worse if the skin is black. Several black Panters were sent to prison, we cant say everything, but wrongfully. U.S. intelligence sent them off to prison. A documentary revealed how several was accused and sent to prison. You know your facts my Brother: (DRUGS)

mike daley
9/19/2010

@Time Master! Your commentary is timeless & classic. In the face of logic, common sense and reason why respond with the same. Heck it's just more effective I guess to appeal to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect. So I guess by extension of your reasoning then the 2 co-defendants now turned govt witnesses & anyone who thinks Buju deserves some blame for his predicament must also support the homosexual community? Ok, you win! I can't possibly argue with that! Free Buju immediately

Wilfred Gray
9/19/2010

We wish `buju`freedom and amancipation of these trials and tribulations.
nuh watch nuh face,some blacks,always wished the worst for other blacks,to look good in the `white-men`etc eyes.
Free buju!

Chuck Emanuel
9/19/2010

People must take responsibility and must be held accountable for their actions if illegal. The "Gays" did not come to Jamaica and tried to disrupt Buju's career in terms of making a living.
Which Foreign Citizen can expect to launch a career in the U.S. and carry out a holy war, moral, or immoral and not be subjected to scrutiny, or other ?
Did someone blindfold Buju and order him to go and test Cocaine, or else ?.

critical thinker
9/19/2010

Apparently, based on my reading of the comments posted so far: Black people don't believe in the words 'set up' and 'conspiracy'. Ironically, our very existence here thousands of miles from Africa was because of a conspiracy----- when certain people decided to wring their bread from the sweat of another man's face----- as Abraham Lincoln rightly defined 'slavery'. And then pointing out others' crimes against you & your people is given the derogatory title of 'Not taking personal responsibility'.

Anancy Bedward
9/19/2010

This is an example of people allowing emotion to overpower good sense. The prosecution say they have him on tape. Being such a high-profile person why did he choose to be an active participant in a drug deal? No gay lobby set up here, Buju has created his own misery.
.
I am sure some of those who are crying "set up" know jugglers who got caught in the same way as Buju, do they cry "set up" by some fringe group? No, they matter of factly say "the feds hold him, a good!!"

Dwayne Willis
9/19/2010

Why is the most esteemed Prime Minister so quiet about this issue??? Why isnt he lobbyinging on Buju's behalf???Doesnt he have "constitutional righst as well???
The hypocrisy continues

PL BOGLE
9/19/2010

@ Jay Brown I don't know why you think the case against Buju is weak. I don't think you understand the nature of the charges against Buju , he is not charged for possession. He is charged with conspiracy to possess within intent to distribute. Two co-defendants have plea bargained to testify against him , thats not good news! @Elli Deedo i could tell based on your comments that you were not living in the USA because your comments are very negative to the USA , don't listen to hear say.

Mike Ramsey
9/19/2010

Our people(Jamericans) are an interesting set, as soon as they immigrate they adopt American triats as their own and suddenly want Jamaica to adopt American laws, no matter how stupid they are. Suddenly we must get rid of our buggery laws, we must criminalize a little ganja spliff, and do all kind of things to show we are a modern country. So now we cant be Jamaica any more, a country with its own distinct culture and customs. Unu backway wid dat mentality.

Yard Vibz
9/19/2010

Ah rum-bar talk & shady-tree mechanic thing yuh a deal wid, missa Henry. Every1 kno seh, if yuh nuh guh unda fowl roost, dem cyan duh certain things to yuh. Most accused & convicted drug peddlers, Have hinged their presumed innocence on the premise of 'set-up.' If Myrie were amongst the 'Bobo-shanties, chanting down Babylon & DEA tek him wey, this reader would not hesitate to embark on the 'stop di victimization of rasta,' train. But being caught testing the authenticity of cocaine! No sah!

Time Master
9/19/2010

Very nice observer thanks for blocking my comment but i do believe everyone deserves the right to post on your stupid site, its called freedom of speech. Suckers

Time Master
9/19/2010

I can see most comments on here are by persons who supports the homosexual community. We all know gays setup buju, how conveinient the two accuse turn against the man. Rubbish

gods celtic
9/19/2010

Does Buju refuse to take the "big white rat" people dem money?
No.
Did white people put Buju in this position with drug dealers?
No.
"Buju Banton even if he is guilty was obviously set up by either the Government or the Gay community"
LOL
Who is Buju real enemy?
Buju!

howie J
9/19/2010

News report coming out of the U.S. shows a ten percent increase in drug use in the U.S. in 2009. This represents the highest increase in usage since 1996. As Buju walks into court tomorrow he will be comforted with the knowledge that he did not contribute to this increase. Infact, it took the collaboration of two different state agencies and a paid informant ten of thousand of tax payers’ money to coerce an innocent Buju with drugs which belongs to the state. What we can say then is that the US state government is responsible for the distribution and coercion of innocent people into drug use in the US.

K G
9/19/2010

This is not news, this is trash tabloid nonsense. I'm sick and tired of black people constantly blaming others for their misfortunes. When you stand before God, come judgment, who will you blame for all your screw ups? He put himself into this situation because he is greedy. I feel no pity. Proud African/Jamaican who doesn't blame others for his mistakes.

patrick small
9/19/2010

Come on People; when will we all take responsibility for our actions. Buju KNEW that getting involved with Cocaine in any country is a criminal act and he CHOSE to participate in a criminal act. It is time we start taking RESPONSIBILITY for our actions and then we will see the emerging of a new Jamaica; free of corruption and all the THINGS we PARTICIPATE in KNOWING it to be wrong. BUJU like anyone else must pay for his indescretion. After all no one held a gun to his head; GREED GREED.....

owen lloyd
9/19/2010

You can never cheat an honest man.

Elli Deedo
9/19/2010

@ Joh Christian; I'am not attacking anyone for their belief, but each and every one of us Today, because of technology are privillage to the same information, and any information one wishe's to receive.Everyone is free to form their opinion on any subject. This should not offend anyone. Evil people can defeat those who are not careful. This was done to Christ, and evil will continue amongst mankind, because we are living in a dirty and corrupt world..All things are possible in this life:

mike anderson
9/19/2010

I know who set up Buju and no it's not the gays, the person who set him up is this greedy person by the name of Mark Myrie.

Nicolas Henry
9/19/2010

If Buju know seh di gay dem after him, him shoulda walk the straight & narrow way. I live in America, & I know it's a racist country at times, you know what I do, stay away from the things that could cause dem to frame mi. I think Buju lawyer talk too much. He might compromise the case. He make it sound like it's a open and shut thing on Buju side. I would as a lawyer stop talking so much before going to trial.

Jay Brown
9/19/2010

Buju was not setup by anyone, he setup himself but will be free as in my mind the case against him is very very weak.
The prosecution has been cutting deals left , right and center in a effort to bolster a very weak case, but it will not work and as such he will be let free.
What his lawyers need to do is ensure they take a close and I mean very close look at the jury selection as their may be where the case is broke or made. Look good and find out their orientation ( Read between the lines)

Ras Alonso
9/19/2010

This smells fishy all because one of the culprits is a informant for the cops who is alleged got paid from the authority to help set up this sting operation. Buju Banton even if he is guilty was obviously set up by either the Government or the Gay community. What ever it is I smell a big white rat!

Anthony II
9/19/2010

And if that is the case (headline), more power to this gay community that has so much "money and influence", who are so concerned about a dancehall artiste that they "set him up." Hopefully they can set up some more, and then turn their attention to some posters on this website!
.
Of course, taking responsibility for our actions has never been a distinct Jamaican trait. Wherever possible, we should always seek to blame others (including "Satan") for our person failings and indiscretions!

george watson
9/19/2010

a blind man could see that the gays set up BB, because of their very powerful lobby; and if Jamaicans think that they are powerful only in the USA they have another guess coming.
They (I don't dislike them because I think most of them were born that way, or because of early experiences became that way), especially the lesbians, hold positions at the pinnacles of power in this country, and they will hurt you.
How come though that the govt. is not going to bat for him as they did for Dudus?

Elli Deedo
9/19/2010

As a Jamaican in Europe I extend my deepest symphaty to Buju, and other Jamaicans too. I hope that he will overcome this struggle; I strongly believe he was Stitched up based on the nature of his arrest. Let us all remember that he is not the first black to be placed in this situation, and he will not be the last. It is very easy for a black man in America to fall victim to those who manufact evil on a daily routine. America is suffering from the epedemic of evil; from Slavery untill now, beware

John Christian
9/19/2010

typical uniformed rubbish being spewed by persons who do not any information on anything,they live by hearsay and emotional fanatasy..Gays do not set up anybody that opposes their sexuallity..they focus on legality to change things that affect their lives...Buju is responsible for what happened to Buju..the Justice system in the USA will decide if he goes Boom-Boom Bye or not.(his words).

mike daley
9/19/2010

The reporter just took the article into the direction of tabloid, gutter journalism with this "gay set up Buju" conspiracy theory. The bad blood btwn Buju & the gay community should be no more than a footnote in this piece. By lending 5 paragraphs & providing a sensational heading for such idiocy the reporter seem all too willing to ferment controversy & excuse the likely bad choice & poor judgement on the part of Buju. It is a fair issue whether he was entrapped by US DEA, but gays? Com'n!

Jaye Stone
9/19/2010

In a criminal environment like ours, such views are bound to be commonplace. The certainty of punishment is one of the greatest deterences to crime and in Jamaica where there is no fear of punishment, criminal activity has become a way of life. So we should not be surprised that our people want to excuse Buju. They do not have an sharp sensitivity to what is considered criminal. This has been the effect of long-term exposure to violence in the society.

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Gays set up Buju, say Jamaicans in Florida