Buju cannot duck sentencing

Buju Banton, real name Mark Myrie, will not be allowed to sit out his upcoming sentencing hearing.

The embattled reggae star was ordered by a federal judge to report to his sentencing hearing next month. The news has come days after Buju's lawyer, Ihmotep Alkebu-lan, filed a request for the singer's absence.

The hearing became necessary after Buju lost an appeal to overturn his 10-year prison sentence. In addition to having his request for a new trial thrown out, the judge also added a previous gun possession charge which was thrown out at the end of his trial.

The additional gun charge could put five more years on to Buju's sentence.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 30.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120918/ent/ent5.html