Showing posts with label judge moody. Show all posts
Showing posts with label judge moody. Show all posts
Nov 29, 2011
Buju Banton Heads to Relatively Safer Miami Prison After Stay in Rough Texas Jailhouse
Buju Banton has been on the move during the first few months of his ten-year sentence on federal drug charges. The iconic dancehall star went from Florida to Oklahoma to Texas, back to Oklahoma, and he'll soon be en route to the Federal Correctional Institution Miami, according to David Oscar Markus, Banton's attorney.
Plans to place Banton in a Mississippi prison fell through when authorities discovered that a codefendant in the case had already been assigned to the facility. Authorities then stowed Banton in a Federal Transfer Center in lovely Oklahoma City before moving him to a correctional institution in the dreadful-
sounding city of Groesbeck, Texas.
"He was at one of the worst places you can imagine -- a county facility that had been converted to house federal inmates," Markus said. "The place was used for short-stay Mexican nationals who were going to be deported. It was filled with Mexican gangs. Buju was one of very few black men in there. It was really violent."
A Tampa jury found Banton guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense, and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offense in February 2011, days after he won a Grammy for best reggae album.
Federal Judge James S. Moody Jr. later tossed the gun charge, given the fact that Banton had never met or spoken with James Mack, a codefendant from Georgia who brought the gun to the drug deal, which turned out to be a sting operation orchestrated by a government informant. Banton was hundreds of miles away, resting in his Tamarac duplex, when the bust occurred.
Both Judge Moody and the Jamaican consulate urged the Federal Bureau of Prisons to move Banton from the Texas facility.
"We're very appreciative that Judge Moody stood by his initial recommendation that Buju should be in Miami," Markus said. "And he made a point to comment that Buju is a peaceful person and shouldn't be housed in a violent facility."
Markus said he plans to file an appellate brief with the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta later next month.
Source: http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/countygrind/2011/11/buju_banton_prison_miami.php
Jun 12, 2011
'Please spare our dad' — Buju's kids appeal to judge
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Emotional-pleas-for-Buju_8995518
Reggae artiste’s kids, Danny Glover, NBA star Etan Thomas, Stephen Marley write to judge urging compassion
'PLEASE, spare our dad.' This is the emotional plea from four of the 15 children of Grammy Award-winning artiste Buju Banton to Judge Jim Moody ahead of the reggae artiste's sentencing on gun and drug-related charges on June 23 in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa Florida.
The siblings' letters for mercy form part of a document filed last week by Banton's legal team seeking a reduced sentence for the Jamaican artiste, who is facing 15 years to life behind bars. The letters are also among others penned by the likes of renowned actor Danny Glover, NBA player Etan Thomas, Vibe Magazine editor-at-large Rob Kenner and reggae artiste Stephen Marley.
In their letters, the children pour out their hearts, as they explain what their father, whose real name is Mark Myrie, means to them.
"My father is a great person. He always make us smile when he is around...," said Jahazeil, 14. "I love my father so much. He always care about us and encourages us to do the best we can and I miss him because there is no father like him."
Banton's daughter Jodian, who at 21 is the artiste's eldest child, noted in her letter: "My father is a very hardworking man who puts a lot of time — basically his entire life — into his music and family."
Seven-year-old Jahleel, in his letter, said: "My father was always there for me and I will be there for him. He was the only person that understands the way I feel... My father is the world to me, and I am to him."
Eighteen-year-old Shadai described her father as "the backbone of my family".
She added: "Without him many things would not be possible. He is there for myself, my sisters and brothers, both financially and emotionally. He motivates each of us when we feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. How then could we picture a comfortable life without our main source of comfort?"
Banton was convicted in February on charges of conspiracy to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence. The conviction follows a first trial in September of last year which ended without the jurors being able to reach a verdict. He was arrested in December 2009, resulting from a covert operation.
Last Thursday, Banton's legal team filed the document asking for a sentence below the mandatory minimum of 15 years behind bars, which the lawyers are contending would be cruel and unusual punishment.
In his letter to the court, Glover describes himself as a friend of Banton's, and noted that the artiste is "considered one of the most influential reggae musicians" and that his "Grammy-Award winning music" addresses every aspect of life and "feeds the heart, mind, body and soul, bringing a message of hope". "Not only is Mr Myrie a great musician with a great deal of work ahead of him," Glover added, "he is also a role model, philanthropist, and spiritual leader of the community."
Noted Kenner of Vibe Magazine: "He is religious and has travelled to the Holy Land to attend prayers in Golgotha Ethiopian Monastery, Jerusalem. Mark Myrie is one of the leading voices of his generation. His music sheds light on such issues as the unrelenting violence and abject poverty pervasive in the Third World."
Meanwhile, Marley, the son of reggae icon Bob Marley, said that Banton was like a brother to him and asked the judge to be "compassionate to Mark".
Thomas, who plays for the NBA team Atlanta Hawks, described Banton as "an extremely positive inspiration" in his life and "countless people around the world, especially black men".
Said Thomas: "...His music helped keep me out of trouble and encouraged me to perform to the best of my ability, no matter the challenge. ...It is for this reason I hope to have Mr Myrie included as one of the fathers... in my book on fatherhood: a guide to being a good father. Mr Myrie willingly accepted to participate without any request for financial gain. He is truly a humble man who makes himself accessible to all who reach out to him."
Reggae artiste’s kids, Danny Glover, NBA star Etan Thomas, Stephen Marley write to judge urging compassion
'PLEASE, spare our dad.' This is the emotional plea from four of the 15 children of Grammy Award-winning artiste Buju Banton to Judge Jim Moody ahead of the reggae artiste's sentencing on gun and drug-related charges on June 23 in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa Florida.
The siblings' letters for mercy form part of a document filed last week by Banton's legal team seeking a reduced sentence for the Jamaican artiste, who is facing 15 years to life behind bars. The letters are also among others penned by the likes of renowned actor Danny Glover, NBA player Etan Thomas, Vibe Magazine editor-at-large Rob Kenner and reggae artiste Stephen Marley.
Reggae artiste Buju Banton and members of his legal team heading to court in Tampa, Florida for his retrial in February this year. (Photo: Paul Henry)
In their letters, the children pour out their hearts, as they explain what their father, whose real name is Mark Myrie, means to them.
"My father is a great person. He always make us smile when he is around...," said Jahazeil, 14. "I love my father so much. He always care about us and encourages us to do the best we can and I miss him because there is no father like him."
Banton's daughter Jodian, who at 21 is the artiste's eldest child, noted in her letter: "My father is a very hardworking man who puts a lot of time — basically his entire life — into his music and family."
Seven-year-old Jahleel, in his letter, said: "My father was always there for me and I will be there for him. He was the only person that understands the way I feel... My father is the world to me, and I am to him."
Eighteen-year-old Shadai described her father as "the backbone of my family".
She added: "Without him many things would not be possible. He is there for myself, my sisters and brothers, both financially and emotionally. He motivates each of us when we feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. How then could we picture a comfortable life without our main source of comfort?"
Banton was convicted in February on charges of conspiracy to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence. The conviction follows a first trial in September of last year which ended without the jurors being able to reach a verdict. He was arrested in December 2009, resulting from a covert operation.
Last Thursday, Banton's legal team filed the document asking for a sentence below the mandatory minimum of 15 years behind bars, which the lawyers are contending would be cruel and unusual punishment.
In his letter to the court, Glover describes himself as a friend of Banton's, and noted that the artiste is "considered one of the most influential reggae musicians" and that his "Grammy-Award winning music" addresses every aspect of life and "feeds the heart, mind, body and soul, bringing a message of hope". "Not only is Mr Myrie a great musician with a great deal of work ahead of him," Glover added, "he is also a role model, philanthropist, and spiritual leader of the community."
Noted Kenner of Vibe Magazine: "He is religious and has travelled to the Holy Land to attend prayers in Golgotha Ethiopian Monastery, Jerusalem. Mark Myrie is one of the leading voices of his generation. His music sheds light on such issues as the unrelenting violence and abject poverty pervasive in the Third World."
Meanwhile, Marley, the son of reggae icon Bob Marley, said that Banton was like a brother to him and asked the judge to be "compassionate to Mark".
Thomas, who plays for the NBA team Atlanta Hawks, described Banton as "an extremely positive inspiration" in his life and "countless people around the world, especially black men".
Said Thomas: "...His music helped keep me out of trouble and encouraged me to perform to the best of my ability, no matter the challenge. ...It is for this reason I hope to have Mr Myrie included as one of the fathers... in my book on fatherhood: a guide to being a good father. Mr Myrie willingly accepted to participate without any request for financial gain. He is truly a humble man who makes himself accessible to all who reach out to him."
Feb 18, 2011
Tense wait for Buju - Judge to hand case to jurors today
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Tense-wait-for-Buju
We have faith, says entertainer’s lawyer
Friday, February 18, 2011
FLORIDA, USA — The crushing and nail-biting wait is expected to begin today as Judge James Moody hands the case over to the 12 jurors who are to determine the fate of Grammy-winning reggae artiste Buju Banton.
Yesterday, the weight of uncertainty and anxiety was evident on the supporters and relatives of the artiste, who could be imprisoned for 20 years if found guilty.
Those attending the sitting of the retrial at the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa were transfixed during closing arguments of defence attorney David Oscar Markus and prosecutor Jim Preston. Some sat nervously, while others prayed during the proceedings.
Judge Moody will today instruct the jurors in relation to the law before handing the case over to them.
“We are praying,” Markus told the Observer after court. “We have faith. I know in my heart that Buju did not commit a crime.”
During his closing argument, Preston told the jurors that Banton (real name Mark Myrie) was guilty as charged and asked them to return a like verdict.
“This is not about Mark Myrie the entertainer; it is about Mark Myrie the drug dealer,” Preston told the jurors.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Preston added, while standing, fingers jabbing in Banton’s direction, “I ask you to return to this courtroom with confidence and look at the defendant a say to him, Mr Myrie you are guilty as charged.”
But in his dramatic closing argument, Markus quoted from the book To Kill a Mockingbird, telling the jurors, “Please, ladies and gentlemen, please find Mark Myrie not guilty.”
Markus called the gun and wire charge against his client absurd, noting that it showed how desperate the prosecution was in wanting to convict the Grammy-winning artiste.
But in his response Preston said it was the defence who was desperate, skirting damaging information, directing the jurors to look at a tree instead of the whole forest. He said that Banton was in his present predicament because of his own desire to deal in drugs.
Banton’s first trial ended in a hung jury last year September when a jury of 12 failed to reach a verdict following roughly three days of deliberation.
The artiste has been on trial since Monday of charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offence; and using the wires to facilitate a drug trafficking offence.
He was arrested on December 10, 2009 as part of a sting operation. His arrest came hours after his long-time friend Ian Thomas and James Mack was held in a drug bust.
Earlier yesterday, Preston presented telephone records, showing that, contrary to what Banton had said previously, he did in fact call government informant Alexander Johnson.
In his closing, Preston said Banton’s attorney had skirted the record. But Markus said the record was not clear as to who called whom.
Also yesterday, Banton apologised to the jurors for his outburst under a severe grilling from Preston, adding that it was another example of mouth getting him into trouble.
Banton also denied suggestions by Preston that he was broke and needed money. Preston had said that Banton was in a financial bind, which motivated him to seek Johnson’s assistance to enlarge his drug-running empire.
And Moody denied an application by Markus to have Mack give evidence. Mack had pleaded the Fifth Amendment. Moody also said that Mack’s affidavit asserting that he did not know Banton was hearsay and could not be used in court.
We have faith, says entertainer’s lawyer
Friday, February 18, 2011
 |
| Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton (left) talks with his lawyer David Oscar Markus following yesterday’s hearing of his drug case at the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa, Florida. (Photo: Paul Henry) |
FLORIDA, USA — The crushing and nail-biting wait is expected to begin today as Judge James Moody hands the case over to the 12 jurors who are to determine the fate of Grammy-winning reggae artiste Buju Banton.
Yesterday, the weight of uncertainty and anxiety was evident on the supporters and relatives of the artiste, who could be imprisoned for 20 years if found guilty.
Those attending the sitting of the retrial at the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa were transfixed during closing arguments of defence attorney David Oscar Markus and prosecutor Jim Preston. Some sat nervously, while others prayed during the proceedings.
Judge Moody will today instruct the jurors in relation to the law before handing the case over to them.
“We are praying,” Markus told the Observer after court. “We have faith. I know in my heart that Buju did not commit a crime.”
During his closing argument, Preston told the jurors that Banton (real name Mark Myrie) was guilty as charged and asked them to return a like verdict.
“This is not about Mark Myrie the entertainer; it is about Mark Myrie the drug dealer,” Preston told the jurors.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Preston added, while standing, fingers jabbing in Banton’s direction, “I ask you to return to this courtroom with confidence and look at the defendant a say to him, Mr Myrie you are guilty as charged.”
But in his dramatic closing argument, Markus quoted from the book To Kill a Mockingbird, telling the jurors, “Please, ladies and gentlemen, please find Mark Myrie not guilty.”
Markus called the gun and wire charge against his client absurd, noting that it showed how desperate the prosecution was in wanting to convict the Grammy-winning artiste.
But in his response Preston said it was the defence who was desperate, skirting damaging information, directing the jurors to look at a tree instead of the whole forest. He said that Banton was in his present predicament because of his own desire to deal in drugs.
Banton’s first trial ended in a hung jury last year September when a jury of 12 failed to reach a verdict following roughly three days of deliberation.
The artiste has been on trial since Monday of charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offence; and using the wires to facilitate a drug trafficking offence.
He was arrested on December 10, 2009 as part of a sting operation. His arrest came hours after his long-time friend Ian Thomas and James Mack was held in a drug bust.
Earlier yesterday, Preston presented telephone records, showing that, contrary to what Banton had said previously, he did in fact call government informant Alexander Johnson.
In his closing, Preston said Banton’s attorney had skirted the record. But Markus said the record was not clear as to who called whom.
Also yesterday, Banton apologised to the jurors for his outburst under a severe grilling from Preston, adding that it was another example of mouth getting him into trouble.
Banton also denied suggestions by Preston that he was broke and needed money. Preston had said that Banton was in a financial bind, which motivated him to seek Johnson’s assistance to enlarge his drug-running empire.
And Moody denied an application by Markus to have Mack give evidence. Mack had pleaded the Fifth Amendment. Moody also said that Mack’s affidavit asserting that he did not know Banton was hearsay and could not be used in court.
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