Stephen Marley puts up his house for Buju

Buju to attend court today

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

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

STEPHEN Marley has proven that he is truly a friend in deed. The son of Reggae king Bob Marley has put up his Miami-Dade house for bond in an effort to secure his friend Buju Banton's release from the Pinellas County Jail.

Two weeks ago Banton was offered bail with stringent conditions by United States Magistrate Anthony Porcelli as he awaits a second trial for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine.

One of the conditions stipulated that Banton had to secure a US$250,000 bond which was co-signed by his friend Joseph Chavalier, who had put up his St Petersburg home as security for the bond.

However, an appraisal of Chavalier's property revealed that its value was less than the US$250,000.

Stephen Marley then stepped up to fill the breach and has offered his house as security.

"Mr Myrie hereby notifies the Court that Stephen Marley, well-known entertainer and son of Bob Marley, and his wife Kertia DeCosta Marley, are willing to substitute as the signator for the bond in lieu of Mr Chavalier. His property is located in Miami-Dade county and has an approximate equity of $350,000. As evidence, Mr Myrie will provide the Court with a recent appraisal of the residence, a title search, a copy of deed and mortgages, outstanding mortgage balances, and affidavits from Mr Marley and his wife," court documents filed by Banton's lawyer David Markus stated.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, is set to return to the US Gibbons Court today to show that he has met the bail requirements.

He must wear a tracking device and must have a security detail at all times. Under US law, the defendant must bear the cost of the security detail.

Myrie has contacted two private security companies willing to provide the service but they have been rejected by lead prosecutor James Preston who contends that the detail must include off-duty police officers.

But Markus contends that hiring off-duty cops is too expensive and is an additional burden to his client.

A representative of one of the security companies, the Florida Agency Of Investigations Inc, based in Key Largo, Florida, will be present at the hearing today.

The other company is Guardian Professional Security, which is located in Hollywood, Florida.

If Banton secures bail his attorney will immediately seek a bond in the Immigration Court as his entertainment visa was revoked upon his arrest.

He will also have to sign an extradition waiver.

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COMMENTS (28)

Elli Deedo
10/27/2010

@ Hotta Fire, this Lee Mac is ready to Condemn, and Buju is not found guilty of a Crime. This Lee Mack is missing the point, wonder if he is one of those who Buju have offended!! Sad for him!! His Heart is Boiling with negative thoughts. Worse that Stephen Marley have offered his assistance. Why quick to Condemn your own at the hands of a Evil Empire?") have you no discression?. remember, a Ounce of discression is better that a Pound of Gold, (GHANDI) You must not be so Hateful to your Own!!

sean x
10/27/2010

ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF BUJU HAD FIRE HIS LAWYER AND GOT A REAL ATTORNEY. HIM LAWYER NUH GOOD!!!!!!!!

Elli Deedo
10/27/2010

Continue@ Lee Mac, I stayed here in Europe and sent a Top Lawyer to have this youth bailed, this was done in less than 1hr) When I went to Jamaica (3) weeks after. The Business Man said, it's the Police put those charges on him. The senior officer told the lawyer he is sorry. He had to pay for hitting the youth with a Gun, and leave the force. The youth is now in U.S.A doing well after College. He was only from this Ghetto area. I do not know any ghetto living, and I will condemn no one. Regards

johnny gordon
10/27/2010

wow! can't believe what I am reading here. A man sticks by HIS friend and strangers dare to criticize either one of them. Marley is providing surety and security for his friend. Would you not do the same for yours? Or does either of these sane persons owe money to any of you detractors?

Elli Deedo
10/27/2010

@ Lee Mac, We must not quick to condemn others. In Jamaica (3) Police including a senior officer, arrested a Youth in which I know. His mother lives in U.S.A, he live's by his grand mother. (2) elder men sent him to a business man for some Money. He was arrested and charged for Robbery with aggrivation, he never robed any one, he is not a criminal. The (2) who sent him was not arrested, they wer Dans. At the station his Grand mother was ignored, no Bail for him, because they are poor....see Cont

IloveJamaica IloveJamaica
10/27/2010

@JERRY BERMAN, you would be foolish to vouch for someone whom you haven't met, but you would also be foolish to INCRIMINATE someone whom you have never met.....duh!!

IloveJamaica IloveJamaica
10/27/2010

good job Stephen...blessings will follow you and your family!!

IloveJamaica IloveJamaica
10/27/2010

@ LEE MAC, while I agree with you that Buju was wrong to be holding discussions with the guy on the flight, and wrong for tasting the cocaine, that doesn't make him guilty of the crime for which he is being charged. Talk is cheap, and talk not backed by action has no merit. Are you so blind that you cannot see that the man is getting a raw deal?

Jerry Berman
10/27/2010

@Lee Mac, I'm 110 % in support of what you have to say. Ignore the idiot Ostriches attacking you, they know nothing, yet they are making silly statements about setup and/or the validity of the charges. If we all knew the individuals inside/outside of Jamaica who are involve with narco-trafficking we would keep silent. Buju can only blame Buju for the mess he finds himself in. I would be foolish to vouched for someone I haven't even met, much less a greedy entertainer. Investor/Blood Diamond?

Hotta Fire
10/27/2010

lee mac entering thru the back door I see, thats the worst crime. you do what u want, buju does what he wants and we want to support buju. even if he was to go to jail for a thousand yrs we would still respect the work he has done on earth, but you backdoor dealer can continue going thru the back door. u ignorant backdoor man

pete delisser
10/27/2010

Not a fan of BUJU, but I agree, this case had no merit at all, which lead to the hung jury. I wonder where is the Government of Jamaica? Where is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in protecting human rights of its own citizens overseas? Now Stephen Marley had to put up his house as bond, and Marley has his plate full, his sister was in the news recently with her own legal troubles.

Concerned Jamaican
10/27/2010

@ Lee Mac I personally am not glorifying wrongdoers I am concerned about the justice system. From a personal experience my brother-in-law was killed my some gun toting fools only for the shooter to plea bargain and get 15 years....Mobsters have been to trial, had a hung jury and granted bail....Allan I agree with you 100%

Yard Vibz
10/27/2010

Wha mek eyerybody ah gang up pon Missa Mac suh! The man has a right to air his opinion. If all of us had surrendered to Elli's stance the forum would have been laced with boredom. In my comment yesterday, I voiced my concerns about the constant modification to the rule book by the prosecution, but at the same time, my initial assessment of the argued subject remains unmolested. In my opinion, if the accused is offered bail, the DA should allow him to capitalize on same without altering the goal.

Elli Deedo
10/27/2010

@ Concerned Jamaican, I'am there with you Brother; he is getting a Raw deal. This doe's not seem to be just about the trial, it's a attack. Who know's, it could be the work of Sadomites. This justice system is not looking normal. Some Psychopaths are at work there, very antisocial behaviour. They know's Buju is not going to do a runner. He must accept their security, come on, dirt.

Lee Mac
10/27/2010

@All you blind Buju defenders:
I suggest that this is the reason why we as black people can't move forward and prosper: we have a nasty habit of glorifying wrong doers and refusing to hold them to account. Those who lead an exemplary life however are ridiculed and very soon forgotten.
We Jamaicans have to start holding ourselves to a higher standard, this includes the people we vote into office and especially the role models we choose for our children.
Raise the bar! Raise our standards!!

R Rose
10/27/2010

Dats good Allan, shut him up yes! Chat nuff an nuh know nuttin. One ting me alwayz sure bout is dat Jah naah sleep. And when Buju free, I hope him sue out dem claaat!

Concerned Jamaican
10/27/2010

@ C. Brown I totallly agree with you Buju is being cut a raw deal. Everytime something positive comes up on Buju's behalf the prosecution put something forward to block it. Bottom line they did not think it would be possible for him to post bail and he did! I wsh Buju all the luck!

allan vassell
10/27/2010

Lee Mac, be quiet!......... First af all you have the whole reap what you sow thing backwards, but we get you. Everyone has their short comings, Gregory Isaacs was a cocaine addict for many years and had problems with the law regarding an illegal firearm in the early 80's. Do remember that buju has not been found guilty of any crime, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Have some compassion, can you imagine what his children are going through now?

Hotta Fire
10/27/2010

I will buy Buju's albums and Stephens albums.

J B
10/27/2010

@Lee Mac, don't worry about Buju he will be fine. It is people like you that will find someone guilty without a trail. Buju has not been treated fairly from the start, WHY BECAUSE HE IS A RASTA A HE SINGS ABOUT WHAT HE AND OTHER WANT TO HEAR.
JAH BLESS BUJU AND STEHPEN M.

C. Brown
10/27/2010

@ Lee Mac, you ever listen to "Destiny", "Untold Stories", or "Murderer"?.. plus many more positive Buju tunes... I hope your closet clean, or maybe yu still inna the closet... Buju a get a raw deal, the justice system need to be fair to the man...

Lee Mac
10/27/2010

I find it difficult to feel any compassion for Buju. He's simply sowing seeds that he himself have reaped - years of hate-filled music, bragging about drugs to a stranger on a flight, opening and tasting drugs - just what the hell was he thinking?
For role models I look to performers like Gregory Isaacs who sang positive and uplifting songs. Look at how the man died, covered with dignity and distinction! People near and far are rushing to praise the man. Will we be able to do the same for Buju?

C. Brown
10/27/2010

A friend indeed.... How dem a deal with Buju soh, like him a murderer.. The conditions dem sticky... Best not to mix up with uncle sam when yu nuh inna weh dem inna...

10/27/2010

All of these antics the prosecutors are going on with you would think it was a Pablo Escobar type kingpin on trial....It is manifestly clear there is an agenda behind this case.

Wilfred Gray
10/27/2010

very good, sometimes in life, we all need some one to lean on...a brethren indeed.

Elli Deedo
10/27/2010

Appreciation Steven, there was a Account # in which I've made a Contribution, some of those who could not afford to have made a contribution, have contributed their criticism: It is very plain to see that the authorities are trying to apply a Psychological warfare. Their attitude towards Banton is more than a trial, he is getting a raw deal in America: I'am surprised to have read the negative comments from several Jamaicans on this issue. No unity have teared a black nation apart. (Crabs?")

christopher Isaacs
10/27/2010

Your frienship, magnanimity and compassion know no bounds. You will eternally be regarded for this big deed.

KY JA
10/27/2010

Well done Stephen!

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