I fought the good fight — Buju

Thanks fans for support

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

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

FLORIDA, USA — Attorney David Markus says that Buju Banton is taking a philosophical approach to the guilty verdict and is taking the disappointing news in stride.

"We are all extremely disappointed and emotional," said Markus.

Markus said Banton told him in the lock-up that he was happy that he fought because he was innocent.

He read a brief statement from Buju:

"Our life and our destiny are sometimes pre-destined and no matter where this journey takes me, remember I fought the good fight," said the artiste, real name Mark Myrie.

"It was a great man that said my head is bloody but still unbowed I love you all thank you for your support," he added.

Banton is now in detention awaiting sentencing.

Related stories:

Buju guilty

Buju lawyer to appeal case

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COMMENTS (19)

2/23/2011

Buju, I fill u with the love n light of H.I.M. Tomorrow will set u free.

Toyna Williams
2/23/2011

I have read the blogs on this site and there are really some heartless people on here. The man is human and we all make mistakes in life none of us is perfect. Yes, if you committ a crime you should be punished but the punishment should fit the crime. Is it fair for people go out of their way to set up someone in order to send them away for life. My god the way some of you sound evil what makes you think you are any better than a drug dealer. My head hurts to see the evil spewing from you.

Mr Lawman
2/23/2011

Jakan2011@ Well I'm not a mind reader and I'm sure you’re not either but to get a conviction all 12 jurors have to agree Buju is guilty of the charges he was ultimately convicted of. That is the standard here in the USA..... As far the Jamaican justice system, it speaks for itself... Crime and corruption is pervasive in JA...

Maxwell Coore
2/23/2011

" The days of destruction will never be(oh no)/Not unto a wise man who will see/Yet the fool thinks he knows it all/Here comes danger; he stumbles and falls/He goes down for a reason/Jah is giving him a beating/To the foundation, he'll have to go down..."
"Foundation" Dennis Emmanuel Brown
"If the fish did keep his mouth shut he would never get caught!" (Proverb)
"Play wid fire an yuh muss get burn" (Proverb)

Carol Gordon
2/23/2011

BUJU IS NOT GUILTY; however, you'd have to understand RACISM in general and World Domination particularly now that we are under SEIGE more and more.That's the problem with the masses - they are so gullibe! With the technology today capturing a video or audio that implicates one targeted by Ruling Elite is easier than you can imagine! Thats what so scary in the present time and place with those who are so ruthless in control and the intension to stay so using any and all means necessary! Jah Lu

Carol Gordon
2/23/2011

BUJU IS NOT GUILTY; HOWEVER, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHITE SUPREMACY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING AND PARTICULARLY NOW AS WE ARE UNDER SEIGE.That's the problem with the masses -- they are so gullibe! With the technology at hand capturing a video that implicates one targeted by 'White Supremacy' is easier than you can imagine! Thats what so scary in this time and place we find ourselves with those who are so ruthless in control and the intension to stay so using any and all means necessary!

Peter Lawrence
2/23/2011

RESPECTS!!! at least Buju fought like a man, tho' against the odds. he didn't whine or gripe when staring down the barrel, as a consequence of his mistakes. Markus had given fans great hope when he aggressively defended with little or nothing to work with, and even managed to get a hung Jury at first. That's almost like a legal miracle of sorts.. However, now, he seems to be after the monay.by riding on the pain ; this appeal tactic will only impoverish BUJU , and has little hope of success.

slimm yaris
2/22/2011

God is the only one who can judge us so all who are quick to condemn Buju I hope you never do any thing wrong. Buju I will continue to pray for you my brother and god always forgive

simply smart
2/22/2011

SERVE HIM RIGHT!!!!
If you de pon white man plane or in white man country u must keep ur mouth shut !!!
If him did ignore the man all of this wouldn't happen!

Adam Godson
2/22/2011

You fought the good fight?
You don't fought yet.

meleca b
2/22/2011

I sincerely hope that Buju is taking this opportunity to reflect. If he is honest to self and to the higher power, I am certain he will rise above this. Nuff love, a true fan.

robert chang
2/22/2011

Buju Banton should'nt have been bragging his mouth to a complete stranger, jamaicans too trusting to foreigners. A white man and his daughter in the uk tried to set me up as me being a theif they even set up private cctv in the house they rented to me but, I didnt fall for the bait! for them to put me in jail, so they start to make trouble with me using racial slurs, and then i left. They didnt like the fact that I see right through them and their false friendship, I was too smart for them.

pete delisser
2/22/2011

Quite Right Mr Lawman. Am so tired of this 'gay agenda' argument. Evidence was all there, and even this final comment, screams guilt , no innocent person speak like this: " "Our life and our destiny are sometimes pre-destined and no matter where this journey takes me, remember I fought the good fight,"

Jakan 2011
2/22/2011

Mr Lawman you knew each jury member personally?
I am pretty sure that verdict is not unanimous. I bet any money it is like those "unanimous verdicts" I personally know about in Jamaica, where the jury answered yes to, are you all agreed . . the judge(s) believed they mean all agreed as to the verdict when their response meant they agreed that more voted guilty than those who voted not guilty. The juries had no clue what "unanimous verdict is. Mr Markus needs to check this out thoroughly

brebs bre-monkey
2/22/2011

Is "buju" a real Rastaman or a commercial Ras? Real christians wouldn't smoke weed,why should a real rastaman sniff anything?Rasta teaches righteousness;why should di idren hold filthy conversation about contraband or robbing Africa of DIAMONDS? (HE HASN'T SEEN THE MOVIE BLOOD DIAMOND?).
His lawyers still got pay, but they weren't Rastafari.He didn't actually action besides conspiring. There is more to this. He should take responsibility, but a shorter sentence is better. Try him in jamaica.

Lisa Brown
2/22/2011

The question that Go-JahMaker.com asked was, does Jamaican young people read novels or other things? I don't think we do enough of it to keep up with the rapid changing society.

Noel Richards
2/22/2011

A guilty verdict was the correct outcome, but it will be in the best interest of both the people of the United States and Buju himself if the Judge decides to sentence Buju to time served, fine him, have INS/ICE deport him, with the stipulation that he has no chance of visiting the US in the future. That is punishment enough, in my opinion. Buju was stupid and arrogant, but he is not dangerous to the community to the point of deserving an extended incarceration.

Mr Lawman
2/22/2011

Tried and convicted by an impartial and diverse jury... The evidence ( video and phone conversation ) of Buju nuh lie... His own words and actions led to his conviction so let’s not blame it on race or the gay lobby. It appears that some Jamaicans on here are so blinded by ignorance they refuse to accept that fact that this man committed a crime. I’m not surprised really, look at the state of jamaica right now and what’s going on with the government and society in general. Take responsibilty!

Russell Chatoor
2/22/2011

RHC
Buju has criticized the unhealthy practiced of deviants in the USA out too many times to ever hope for a fair trial in Florida.

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I fought the good fight — Buju