Jamaicans anxiously await Buju verdict

Unsure whether artiste will be exonerated American jury

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com

Thursday, September 23, 2010

HOURS before a 13 member panel of jurors is expected to deliver a verdict in the case involving Reggae artiste Mark Mryie in Tampa Florida anxious Jamaicans are awaiting the results and expressing mixed views about the pending results.

"Him going to prison," one man, a bus operator identifying himself as 'Mark', told the Observer a few minutes ago.

He was one of several persons who the Observer is now interviewing on the streets about the case.

A 13-member panel of jurors in Tampa, Florida is now deliberating whether to find Reggae artiste Buju Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, guilty or innocent of conspiracy with intent to distribute five kilogrammes of cocaine.

Another man who identified himself as 'Shawn' said he strongly felt he would be set free.

Meanwhile, William Edwards who was at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston this afternoon said he really wanted Buju to be free but said based on the evidence it appeared he would be sentenced.

"I would love for him to be freed but based on the evidence it looks unlikely but I will be watching with my fingers crossed," said Edwards.

A female security guard at the hotel who seemed unsure, said she was praying for Myrie.

"All we can do his hope and pray," said the guard.

Another taxi operator along Waterloo Road said he hoped he was exonerated.

Myrie has maintained his innocence and says he was entrapped by government informant Alexander Johnson, a Colombian who has served three years for a drug offence. Banton told the court he was talking 'straight up crap' when he engaged in conversation with Johnson about drugs on a plane during an eight-hour flight from Madrid, Spain to Miami, Florida last year.

The artiste, along with James Mack and Ian Thomas, was arrested in December last year after Thomas and Mack were nabbed during an undercover drug sting at a warehouse in Sarasota, Tampa. If convicted Myrie faces a sentence of 20 years to life and a fine of up to US$4 million.

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COMMENTS (16)

marc brown
9/24/2010

Whatever happens, we can all agree that BB was stupid. Why was an int'l superstar, such as BB, flying alone anyway? As such, the entrapment case was easily established by him stupidly trusting a complete stranger. If BB is freed, he needs to cut off his damn locks and stop trying to pass as a true rasta!--true rastas don't even taste cocaine, which was created by the Babylon system to keep us even more oppressed! BB should've known better! For that he's guilty in the court of public opinion.

Roxy Hare
9/24/2010

I have my fingers cross hoping for a not guilty verdict. I am convinced that Buju needs a second chance. It would be lovely for the jury to share a similar conviction. If found not guilty Buju should dedicate his life to his music. A talent as this should not go to waste.

Topsy Dazy
9/23/2010

Lion in a trap. Jah set him free. Jah bless. Jah forgive.

blog dis
9/23/2010

That’s it? After 10 mths in prison I was expecting a mountain of evidence against Buju I guess not
Its scary the high level of collusion involved in order for the informant to know his flight details AND arrange to be seated next to him! BIG brother is definitely watching
Anyhoo even if it was a trap Buju you should have neva taken the bait

Kwame Mambolo
9/23/2010

Buju saaf like porridge. First ting, him should not tek no picture wid the homo group in LA last year. This show the CIA dat him can be manipulated. When Buju decide fi fly alone, dat was him 2nd mistake. A companion would have eliminated that conversation, especially a female. Third, him jus meet de man, how come him so insecure dat him want to impress another man. From a 8 hour flight to tessting coke wid a man him do not know or know anybody who know him. De breda saaf, mi sarry fi him still.

Elli Deedo
9/23/2010

If they do not free the Dreadlocks, they would be sending him away under falsification, and Racism, and this would be Worries. The Juriors must have listened to the required procedures laid out by Judge Moody. Let us stand and see the salvation of he who buried the children of Pharoah under rubbles. And cripple some with the Volts of lightning.

wayne Jones
9/23/2010

I hate the fact that he let his greed put him in that situation. The agent however, is a weasel. Clearly there was an agenda afoot to set up the man, come on...it does not smell good...he will be freed. I wouldn't be shocked if he is convicted, though.

Peter Lawrence
9/23/2010

The trial seemed fair, and Buju got his chance to give his version. At least he stood like a man and did not hide behind the Fifth.As often happens the non-Government lawyers seem to be smarter than those who work for the state, for if you are that good you wouldn't normally work for Govt.pittance. So Markus' case was not all that strong, given Buju's own admissions and his constructions placed on his own actions, but he may yet prevail and win the case.

james allen
9/23/2010

look at these people praying for a drug dealer..how many of you would and could have been killed,if he had brought that drug to jamaica,sell it to you poor stupid fools..of cource you would be killing innocent people to get the money to buy this drug for one thing,and that is but one tiny bit of how drugs affect you praying for criminals fools..until someone put good government in jamaica who can arm rseponsible citizens so they dont get victimized by you fools..

Elli Deedo
9/23/2010

The juriors will return with a verdict of Not Guilty tomorrow. Fret not thy Soul because of evid doers. Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it,let him trad down my life upon the earth and lay my honour in the dust. Arise oh lord in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of my enemies; and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. He hath also prepared for him the instrument of death; he ordaneth his arrows against the prosecutors: David conquered Goliath:

Mr H
9/23/2010

I am surprised by the number of Jamaicans supporting Buju.
It seems he has apathy at best towards dealing cocaine, and found it easy to discuss making money from the misery of others.
Jamaica has been ravaged for years by the effects of drug dealing and the associated crimes. Cocaine puts money in the pockets of the wicked, and destroys the communities and families of the poor and vulnerable.
It would be better if prays were directed to those who truly suffer at the hands of this evil trade.

9/23/2010

He will be free. The good southern folk hate big government. They will eb disgusted by the Fed using funds in the millions to pay a convicted felon to attempt to corce someoen into wrong. Also the Judges instructions were a tad short of declaring a mistrial, as he was suggesting the evidence was weak

Elli Deedo
9/23/2010

The Judge is technically telling the Juriors that they should find Buju not guilty. To those who do not understand. There is no evidence pointing to Buju having to do with Conspiracy, Or dealing in drugs in any way or the other. The evil Niggers who wishes to see their Black Brother sent to prison by the forces of evil, must dig TWO Pits. I do not know Buju, nor do I use strong substances. But our ancestors came on the similiar Boat; it's time we Niggers unite, the struggle is not over.

mad max
9/23/2010

That was quick !!
It's usually not a good sign when trial end this early..best wishes to buju still

Kweli Simba
9/23/2010

Ihope the Jury considers the Judge's instructions and I pray that they are not prejudiced by the fact that he is a dreadlocked defendant. That side of Florida is not very kind to people who are different from them. It seemed rather coincidental that the othe African America juror felt ill right at deliberation time. I don't believe the prosecution proffered any solid evidence but I hope that the defence made a convincing argument to the jury. Fingers are crossed every where in south Fla for Buju

Robbie Gore
9/23/2010

Nuh worry Banton will be free

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Jamaicans anxiously await Buju verdict