No Buju verdict before Monday

BY PAUL HENRY Observer reporter henryp@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, September 24, 2010

TAMPA, Florida — Jamaican Reggae singer Buju Banton will have to wait until Monday to know his fate as the 13 member panel of jurors have yet to come to a decision.

The jurors are expected to resume their deliberations at 8:45 Monday morning.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, has been in jail for nine months and 14 days after being hauled out of his Tamarac home in South Florida on December 10 last year, two days after his co-defendants Ian Thomas and James Mack were held during a drug bust at a police controlled warehouse in Saratoga, Tampa.

Both signed plea deals and agreed to testify against Myrie in exchange for lesser sentences. However, none of the two took the stand as Mack pleaded the fifth amendment and neither the prosecution or the defence found Thomas' testimony to be of any assistance to their case.

Two weeks ago Mack signed an affidavit saying he never knew Myrie until after his arrest and that the artiste had no knowledge of a firearm and US$130,000 that was found in a Honda motorcar he was driving.

Myrie was reportedly offered a two-year prison term but refused. He has consistently maintained his innocence and claimed that he was entrapped by Government informant, Alexander Johnson.

POST A COMMENT

You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.

COMMENTS (19)

Elli Deedo
9/25/2010

I'am hoping that the trial of this Brother, Banton will open the eyes of several Blacks who are trying to dodge the subject of injustice to Black people in America. Here we have a Group of Juriors who have carefully listened to a devious plot designed to send a innocent Black man to prison: Although they have seen the failure of this evil and fraudulent attempt; some want's to see him go to prison. This is the reason for their hesitation in coming to a conclusion of the verdict: Very Compulsive.

Marie Morgan
9/24/2010

crime, best believe they are fingering Buju as the orchestrator of said crime. One thing's for sure, if the prosecutor wanted to guarantee a win for this case, he should've looked at the bank accounts of the defendents to see if there was any correlations between debits and credits. Without something more solid than what they closed with, I can't see them coming away with a win. Either way, I hope our Beloved and all others have learned the real meaning of "Idle hands are the Devil's workshop".

Marie Morgan
9/24/2010

I'm a bit concerned as to the naivete of those watching and commenting on this saga. As much as I love and would want to believe that our beloved Gargamel is innocent, I can't help going over the recorded conversations he had w/ the informant. As repentive as he is, his alibi of "talking too much" is not as convincing as his need to "send 15 children to school". Also, being the common denominator between Johnson & Thomas doesn't work in his favor. If the jury questioned Thomas' involvement in a

Morris K
9/24/2010

Agree w/blog dis. If all are in agreement there is little to ponder. A single juror not convinced of his guilt is all that's required to drop the case. 11 jurors can only spend so much time trying to convince the 1 (assuming no more than 1), before simply throwing in the towel. Let's pray that happens. Oddly, had they charged him as an accomplice (eg) they might have an easier time convicting him. But they offered plea deals to pursue a buju conviction. Dem seh when yuh a dig grave dig two nuh

blog dis
9/24/2010

The prosecution did not meet their burden of proof, the evidence is flimsy & yes it was clearly entrapment but the fact that the jury are deliberating so long means that this NOT a SLAM DUNK case for the prosecution nor the defense
I don’t think there is enough to warrant a conviction but please don’t let our emotions or nationalism blind us from seeing that Buju actions were not 100% pure but 100% careless

Al Vanawic
9/24/2010

It is very frightening to know that Buju could spend 20 years in jail for trusting the wrong people. Jamaicans must understand that they are the most scrutinized people on earth. Just say you are Jamaican and all eyes are on you. Some of this we bring down on ourselves because we are too show off. We are not humble people. Can you imagine that your life just left in the hands of 12 people who you have never met? We must be smart and stop run our mouth round people who we don't know.

John Brown
9/24/2010

As simple as ABC this is entrapment, because the DEA investigated him for one year and they came with nothing. Why di heck dem neva leave di man alone, but no, dem decide fi reel him in via the entrapment route. Mi waan know how dah paid informant feel fi mess up di man life. Him heartless. Merica nuh nice. No whey nuh betta dan yaad.
Unnu memba wha dem do wid Onandi Lowe a England.
I'm praying and hoping that Buju is exonerated. Presently I'm singing "Biju free Buju free and mi feel Irie".

Elli Deedo
9/24/2010

Those juriors have become's complicated; it seems that they are now in disagreement with their decisions. They were also informed by the judge that their decision have to be un-animous in order to stand. And in case of entrapment they will have to find Myrie not Guilty. And there is no evidence of Conspiracy. Where there is no symbols showing the elements that a substance is made of, there is a problem. (FORMUlA) Used in Maths and Physics. They have none. The answer is=O) freedom:

Roxy Hare
9/24/2010

It seems to me that the jury has taken this case seriously.
Notwithstanding Buju's indiscretions I am hoping that the jury returns a not guilty verdict. Buju will be empowered to walk the path of rectitude. Monday seems to be the day good luck Buju

Duncan Bertram
9/24/2010

Free dudus to, so him can come run against bruce in west kgn

mike johnson
9/24/2010

Truly we can see that it's hard for the jurors to make up there mind on Buju. I don't think that there was any crime commetted and I think personal that they was just out to find something to frame buju on. Truly it was a trap set up by the us government to pin something on buju.
The informant they have is a lier and we see that he was in it for money. Free buju it is and he will be freed in God grace.

Real Deal
9/24/2010

Weh dem a deal wid Iyah? Free di Gargamel!

Nicky Marleii
9/24/2010

Buju....my yute..I bet you will never, ever go "there" again!!!!Dem have yu inna pergatory!!!!

Yard Vibz
9/24/2010

Maximum respect to Mr. Henry & the JA Observer. Through cutting-edge technology & innovative minds, you have established the threshold by which all other newspapers on the island are being judged. And just for the record, most Jamaicans, including myself, have prayed for a vindicated Myrie, because in the final analysis, despite our interpretations of the case, he is still one of us. One love!

Nicky Marleii
9/24/2010

Buju...my yute I bet you will never, ever go "there" again.!!!!! Dem have inna pergatory!!!!

Duncan Bertram
9/24/2010

PRIME Minister Bruce Golding has expressed his support for a call by the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches for a national day of repentance, renewal and healing this Sunday, September 26.
Tell Bruce fi kill himself

Duncan Bertram
9/24/2010

I figured. But he will be exonerated.

Charmaine Morris
9/24/2010

Hold the faith Buju! This hold over until Monday isi worrying. Hopefully, the gamble to refuse the please and spend 2 years in jail, pays off in the end.

Kerry Morgan
9/24/2010

I can just imagine his state of mind in anticipation of his faith come Monday. I sincerely think he is innocent, and will be vindicated.
May God be with you, Buju, especially over the course of this weekend.

Do you feel buying into Facebook now is a good investment for the long-run?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Teen killed for laughing at man who fell from bicycle

No Buju verdict before Monday