Buju Banton Released From US Prison

Buju Banton has been released from prison after eight years at the McRae Correctional institution. An officer at the institution said the entertainer whose given name is Mark Myrie, was let out on earlier today.

The United States embassy in Kingston is tight-lipped about when reggae superstar Buju Banton will be returned to the country.

Buju, 45,was arrested in December 2009, months after he was met by a convicted drug trafficker on a flight from Spain who sought to set up a cocaine deal for him.

Following his conviction in February 2011, Buju was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Federal prosecutors required two trials to convict the reggae icon, who was targeted and pursued by an undercover federal informant for more than a year.

Buju, a Grammy award-winning entertainer was convicted of drug trafficking on February 22, 2011 in Tampa, Florida, 12 days after the retrial of his case began. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

His initial release date was set as February 2019, but was later revised to December 8, 2018.
Buju recently released a statement saying that upon release he only wants to be associated with his craft.

"Having survived, I want to share the good news and strength of my music. I just want to continue making music, which I've devoted my life to. I look forward to the opportunity to say a personal thanks to my fans and everyone who supported me," Buju said.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20181207/buju-banton-released-us-prison-0

Buju Banton could walk free this year says Attorney Charles Ogletree

Could Buju Banton hit the streets before the end of his ten year prison sentence?

LISTEN to audio of interview with Attorney Charles Ogletree: http://www.iriefm.net/news/music/buju-banton-could-walk-free-year-says-attorney

Well, the Gargamel’s attorney, Charles Ogletree tells W.T.S that the dancehall deejay could be out this year. Attorney Ogletree who expresses his happiness with the latest developments surrounding the case, says if the conviction is reversed, Buju could be out this year.

The US Appeals Court has granted the deejay’s request to present oral arguments regarding his efforts to obtain a new trial. However, no date has yet been set for the lawyers to appear before the Appeal Court.

Buju Banton is serving a 10-year sentence on drug-related charges after he was arrested at his South Florida home in December 2009 and charged with conspiracy to distribute five or more kilos of cocaine.

After two trials he was sentenced in a Tampa, Florida court.

Buju Banton has maintained his innocence and says he was entrapped by the United States government.

Source: http://www.iriefm.net/news/music/buju-banton-could-walk-free-year-says-attorney

Buju gets another lifeline

REGGAE artiste Buju Banton was handed another lifeline yesterday after it was revealed that embattled juror Teri Wright had submitted the wrong computer hard drive for examination by a computer forensic expert hired by him to examine if she had studied aspects of the law involving his drug traffick-ing case during his second trial in February 2011.

Banton's attorney Kwame Lumumba told the Jamaica Observer yesterday that Wright had indicated to the court, during an earlier sitting, that she had used a laptop computer, but the expert had found that she in fact submitted the hard drive for an old desktop computer.

"Her attorney stated in court that she surrendered the hard drive of a laptop computer. She said she did research on the case three weeks after the trial. The expert found no evidence that she did any research at all on that hard drive and found that it was not the hard drive of a laptop but the hard drive of a desktop. We are of the firm opinion that she did not submit the hard drive for a laptop computer," Lumumba said.

Wright had reportedly told a reporter that she studied aspects of the Pinkerton Law which was used to convict Banton on a firearm charge.
He faces an additional five years after an Appeals Court threw out a motion to have his sentence overturned.

He also pointed to other inconsistencies in Wright's statements during jury selection for the trial.
"It was also revealed that she had served on seven juries, but she said she only served on one jury in a civil matter. She is a seasoned juror. If his lawyer (who was then David Markus) had known that, she would have been rejected. She changed the syntax of her statement because at first she said she served on juries then changed and said jury. It was very misleading," said the lawyer.
The revelation has prompted Lumumba to file a motion asking US Judge James Moody to make a ruling that Wright had violated his orders.

If the court rules in favour of Banton, it would open the way for a new trial for the entertainer who is serving a 10-year sentence after being found guilty of drug-related charges. He is currently languishing in the Pinellas County Jail in Tampa, Florida until the matter is sorted out by the US Sam Gibbons Court in the same city.

"A new trial, that is what we are asking for," said Banton's lawyer.

Lumumba said the ruling could be handed down in two weeks as his client has been incarcerated and was uncertain of his future.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, would then undergo a third trial to prove his innocence and if he is successful he could seek damages for wrongful imprisonment and loss of earnings. He could also argue that his right to travel to the United States and work, which has been taken away by the US authorities, be reinstated.

"If we are successful it does raise certain questions if he will pursue a civil suit," he said.

The Jamaican entertainer was arrested at his Tamarac, South Florida home in December 2009 after US Drug Enforcement Agents arrested two men — James Mack and Ian Thomas — in a government-controlled warehouse in Tampa as they attempted to purchase a large quantity of cocaine from undercover police.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buju-gets-another-lifeline_13999170#ixzz2PawanxI2