The Caged Bird Sings Of Freedom

Source: http://thisisbujubanton.wordpress.com/2011/04/24/the-caged-bird-sings-of-freedom/

The caged bird sings

With a fearful trill

Of things unknown

But longed for still

And his tune is heard

On the distant hill

For the caged bird

Sings of freedom.

–Dr. Maya Angelou (from I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings)

Greetings in the name of the Most High…
As you can imagine, the Gargamel Music Family’s entire world was shattered by the outcome of Buju’s trial. Two months have passed and the heartache has not eased at all. We lost a long, hard-fought battle but, alas, this legal war wages on. We remain confident in Buju’s innocence and vigilant in our fight for his ultimate freedom. There is nuff work to be done and the time has come for us to pick up the pieces and march forward in the struggle.
Buju’s strength and resolve throughout this painful ordeal has been nothing short of inspiring. He is a true soldier who continues to stand firm in his beliefs and will not be broken. He earnestly thanks his friends for life — the fans worldwide — for your unyielding support and only asks that you remember him in a positive light and continue to play his music in the days to come.
We encourage you to send uplifting letters to Buju at the address below:

Mark Anthony Myrie - Docket # 1443397

CEN-4C1-UN01-01-001

Pinellas County Jail

14400 49th Street North

Clearwater, Florida 33762-2877

If you feel like you want to top up B’s commissary, include a money order with all of the above information written on it (Mark’s legal name/docket number, etc…) and place it in the envelope with your letter. The guards who open the mail will make sure it’s added onto his account.

SENTENCING & APPEAL

We recently sat down with Buju’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, who took the time to school us on how the sentencing and appeal processes works so we have a better sense of what to expect.
The trial and sentencing judge, James Moody, Jr. still has yet to rule on either of the post trial motions filed by Markus back in February: 1) motion for judgement of acquittal  2) motion for a new trial. Markus filed a separate third motion for bond pending sentencing and appeal that he is also waiting to hear from the Court on.
Buju’s sentencing is currently scheduled for June 23rd. While Judge Moody can take other things into account, he still must abide by the current mandatory minimum drug sentencing guidelines, which based on the three convictions: 1) Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 or more kilograms of a substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine  2) knowing and intentionally possessing a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and 3) using the wires to facilitate a drug trafficking offense, bring the mandatory minimum in this case to 15 years.

• After sentencing, Markus has 14 days to file a notice of appeal. Then he will order the trial transcripts, which will take about 30 days.
• As soon as Markus gets the transcripts, he has 40 days to file a brief, which will contain his arguments.
• The government gets 40 days to respond. Markus gets 40 days to reply.
• Then the Court will decide whether to allow oral argument (where 3 judges listen to the case). Only 10% of all appeal cases are granted this opportunity.
• After oral argument, the Court usually takes between a month and a year to rule.

Those who wish to donate funds toward the appeal may send a wire transfer to the official Buju Banton Defense Fund set up by his attorney:

Markus & Markus, PLLC

(Defense Fund for Buju Banton)

Citibank, N A

Coral Way Branch

1600 Coral Way

Miami, FL 33145

ABA # 266086554

Account # 9118130472

You may also make a donation via Paypal. Just log in and direct monies to FREEBUJU@gmail.com

THE VOICE OF JAMAICA WILL NOT BE SILENCED!
The Gargamel Music Family remains steadfast in our efforts to promote and preserve the musical legacy of Buju Banton. As he reiterated in his Miami New Times cover story in January of this year, “they can lock the flesh but they can never lock the spirit of Rasta.” We intend to keep Buju’s spirit moving and his voice soaring — through music… And we already have several projects in development:

Buju Banton & Friends: Before The Dawn Concert DVD

We are working out the logistics to make the official DVD of the Before The Dawn Concert available for sale later this year. We are aware of the weak bootleg circulating on the streets and will deal with the culprits accordingly. In the meantime, we just ask that the fans hold on and support the real product when it comes out. It will definitely be worth the wait.

New Buju Banton Studio Album

While the General was out on bail and under house arrest he finished up some tracks for an album co-produced with longtime UK brethren, Blacker Dread. The pair previously worked together on the rousing 2010 anthem “Innocent” featured on Buju’s Grammy-winning album Before The Dawn (Gargamel Music). This new album will drop some time in 2012 on Gargamel Music, Inc.

Buju Banton Live Album

Team Gargamel has collected some amazing live material over the past few years and we plan to release the first Buju Banton live album some time in the near future.

Buju Banton Coffee Table Book

For the past few years we’ve been shooting with esteemed celebrity photographer Jonathan Mannion (Too Bad and Rasta Got Soul album covers) to produce a photography book that visually captures the excitement and frenetic energy of Buju’s live performances along with some exclusive behind-the-scenes moments on the road with the artist and his band.

Gargamel Music Website

At long last, we are in the process of revamping the Gargamel Music website. www.GARGAMELMUSIC.com will be the hub for all things Buju Banton on the web. We will also be selling authentic Buju Banton merchandise, including the Official Free Buju T-Shirts, which are now available in a Limited Edition Red in addition to the original Black and Green color waves. And keep your eyes peeled for the brand new Buju Banton Logo Tee that will be available at relaunch!

The Gargamel Music Family Thanks You For Your Support!

Buju is a rock

BY KARYL WALKER Observer Online news editor walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, April 17, 2011

DESPITE languishing in the Pinellas County Jail in Florida almost two months after being convicted on drug charges, Reggae star Buju Banton is said to still be in high spirits and is keeping his fingers crossed that he will be able to walk free.

The artiste was found guilty by a 12-member panel of jurors, during a second drug trial in Tampa, Florida in February, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence, and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence.

He was found not guilty of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
Banton is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23 and could be locked away for 15 years to life, but, according to his lead attorney David Oscar Markus, the artiste is still optimistic that he will be exonerated.
"Buju is amazing — he is still in good spirits and believes that good things are still going to happen. He is very happy that people are still supporting him and continuing to send him letters and good wishes. We are trying to stay optimistic. Buju makes that much easier. He is a rock and gives us all strength," Markus told the Sunday Observer. He said the appeal against the guilty verdict will be filed after the artiste is sentenced.
"We will be filing our appeal after he is sentenced. Our motions for the judge to set aside the jury's verdict is still pending," Markus said.

Banton had spent 11 months in jail after being arrested by federal agents at his home in Tamarac, South Florida in December 2009. He was arrested hours after drug enforcement agents in Tampa, Florida arrested two co-conspirators, James Mack and Ian Thomas, in a police-controlled warehouse, attempting to purchase a huge amount of cocaine from undercover cops.

Thomas and Mack have since pleaded guilty and are yet to be sentenced.
In his first trial in September last year, a panel of jurors, after days of deliberating, could not come to a unanimous decision as to his guilt or innocence and the case ended in a mistrial.
Banton was then granted bail and placed under house arrest after his close friend Stephen Marley, son of reggae king Bob Marley, put up his house in Florida as collateral. Banton was also allowed by a magistrate to perform at a concert in downtown Miami in order to raise funds to foot his legal bills for a second trial.
Ever since his arrest, Banton, whose birth name is Mark Anthony Myrie, has maintained his innocence and claims he was entrapped by the United States Government which paid an informant US$50,000 to snare him.
He also claimed that he bragged about fictitious drug connections in order to impress the informant who promised to secure a record deal for him.

He was found guilty just days after he was awarded the Reggae Grammy award for his album Before The Dawn.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buju-is-a-rock_8680223

Buju Banton to be sentenced June 16

TAMPA, Florida (CMC) – A United States federal judge has set June 16 as the sentencing date for Jamaican Grammy Award-winning reggae star Buju Banton.
Court officials said that Judge James S Moody, Jr will preside over the sentencing of Banton, 37, whose real name is Mark Myrie. The reggae star faces up to 20 years in prison.

Last month, a 12-member federal jury found Banton guilty on three cocaine-related charges, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilogrammes or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.

They also found him guilty of attempting to possess five kilogrammes or more of cocaine, and for aiding and abetting others in using a communication facility in the commission of a felony.

The jury, however, did not find him guilty of knowingly and intentionally possessing a firearm in furtherance of and during the course of a drug-trafficking crime.

The singer has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, the second since a jury reached a deadlock late last year.

Banton’s attorney, David Markus, argued that the artiste never became a willing participant of the cocaine conspiracy arguing that tasting the cocaine, talking about cocaine and simply being present at the warehouse is not sufficient to find Banton guilty of the crimes.

Banton was arrested on December 10, 2009 in a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sting operation.
Banton‚s long-time friend, Ian Thomas, and another man, James Mack, were arrested the same day when they attempted to buy cocaine from undercover detectives in a Florida warehouse.

Thomas and Mack pleaded guilty, but Buju denied the charges.

Banton, who is in detention awaiting sentencing, thanked his fans for their support, stating: "our life and our destiny are sometimes pre-destined; and, no matter where this journey takes me, remember I fought the good fight.

"It was a great man that said my head is bloody but still unbowed I love you all thank you for your support," he said.

Banton reached the zenith of his singing career on February 13 when his album, 'Before the Dawn', was awarded the Grammy for Best Reggae Album.

Prosecutors charged Banton was the middleman in a cocaine transaction between Tampa dope dealers and a confidential informant working with the DEA.

Banton was caught on covert audio and videotape boasting about the „no-risk‰ drug deal and sampling the illicit white powder, prosecutors said.
"This is not about Buju Banton, the reggae singer. This is about Mark Myrie, the drug defendant," Assistant US Attorney James Preston said during his closing argument.
But Markus countered that the singer did not profit from the drug deal, stating that Banton was snared in the DEA probe because he is "a big talker" and was trying to impress the confidential informant, who ended up with a US$50,000 commission following the bust.

Markus said he has filed a motion in the United States District Court, Tampa Division, asking for acquittal or a new trial, and that the reggae star be released on bail.
But prosecutors said that they would be seeking to squash the defence motion since the claim is "without merit".

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buju-Banton-to-be-sentenced-June-16

'Remain confident,' Buju tells dejected friends

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Remain-confident-Buju-tells-dejected-friends_8442012

TAMPA, Florida — Grammy-winning Jamaican reggae artiste Buju Banton was said by close friends to be in good mental condition yesterday, four days after his conviction on gun and drug charges which could land him prison for life.
The Sunday Observer has learnt that the artiste has been consoling and encouraging friends who have been devastated by his conviction last Tuesday.

A number of persons told the Sunday Observer between then and yesterday that the artiste has been showing amazing strength in the Pinellas County jail where he is awaiting sentencing.
No specific date has been set for Banton's sentencing, but his attorney, David Oscar Markus, said it would be within the next three months.
"I called him yesterday crying and he was the one encouraging me to keep strong," said a friend of the artiste, who asked not be named.
"He's is doing fine," said another earlier last week. "He is encouraging us to remain confident."
These accounts are in line with Markus' assessment  of the artiste's mindset immediately following the conviction. "We are all devastated," Markus told a group of reporters outside the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in downtown Tampa where the case was tried. "He seems to be the only person that is doing well."
One of the reasons given for the strength being displayed by Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, could be his confidence that his conviction will be overturned on appeal or his insistence that he is innocent.
The 37-year-old artiste had said during his two days in the witness box that if he were guilty of the crime for which he had been charged he would have accepted the two-year plea deal offered to him by the prosecution.
Banton has also been telling depressed friends, "It's not over," in reference to his appeal.
The artiste has been convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence, and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence.
However, he was found not guilty of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
Banton was arrested on December 10, 2009 hours after two men — Ian Thomas and James Mack — were busted in an undercover warehouse where they had gone to purchase cocaine. US$135,000 was seized and the gun for which Banton was charged was found in Mack's car. Both men have pleaded guilty and are yet to be sentenced.
The operation was set in train in July 2009 as a result of Banton's bragging to US government informant Alexander Johnson that he was a financier of drugs and sought his assistance in expanding his venture.
The prosecution has contended that Banton was instrumental in brokering the deal, which resulted in the arrest. But Banton said that he was not part of the deal, even though he introduced Thomas to Johnson.
Banton said he was merely talking when he spoke with Johnson about making drug deals and that it was Thomas who brokered the deal. The artiste said he backed away from Johnson after December 8, 2009 when Johnson showed him cocaine in a warehouse. Banton was captured on video tasting the drug.
Banton's first trial last September ended with a hung jury, paving the way for the retrial, which began on February 14.

Buju back in Pinellas County Jail

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buju-back-in-Pinellas-County-Jail

JAMAICAN Reggae artiste Buju Banton is now languishing in the Pinellas County Jail in Tampa, Florida where he spent almost 11 months while awaiting trial in 2010.
Banton, real name Mark Myrie, was transferred to the penal facility yesterday after the guilty verdict on three drug-related offences were handed down by a panel of jurors, which included three African-American women.
When the jury returned with their verdict after 11 hours of deliberations, the three African-Americans were observed smiling.
Banton was detained immediately after the guilty verdict was handed down and had his bail revoked.
During his first stint in jail, the artiste reportedly lost weight and was being housed in an isolated section of the Pinellas County Jail as punishment for sharing his food with inmates.
He complained bitterly that he was being denied vegetarian meals and had lost weight, but prison authorities countered by saying that he had actually gained a few pounds.

BONDAGE! - Buju faces 15 to life after guilty verdict

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/BONDAGE----Buju-faces-15-to-life-after-guilty-verdict_8418691


TAMPA, USA — Reggae superstar Buju Banton walked unshackled into the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court yesterday morning but by late afternoon he was led out in handcuffs after a jury, deliberating for a second day, returned guilty verdicts on three of four charges against the Jamaican Grammy-winning artiste.
The verdict, which came at around 2:22 pm, left Banton's overly optimistic supporters in shock, and had them streaming out of the courtroom in tears. The more than two dozen supporters afterward expressed anger and disbelief at the decision which came little over an hour after the lunch break.

Banton stood emotionless as the verdict was being read. Afterwards, he hugged the members of his legal team.
"We love you," Banton's manager Traci McGregor shouted in court immediately after the verdict was read. The artiste similarly responded and told his supporters "Thank you."
The artiste was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence, and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence.
However, he was found not guilty of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
Shortly after, Banton — whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie — met his legal team of David Oscar Markus, Marc David Seitles and Margot Moss. Markus emerged an hour later telling reporters that the conviction would be appealed.
An emotional Markus read a statement prepared by Banton after the guilty verdict.
"Our life and our destiny are sometimes pre-destined and no matter where this journey takes me, remember I fought the good fight," said the statement. "It was a great man that said 'my head is bloody but still unbowed'. I love you all. Thank you for your support. Keep loving God."
Banton is to be sentenced in another three months and faces 15 years to life behind bars, Markus said. The lawyer is expected to apply to have Banton's US$250,000 bail restored during the period leading up to the sentence.
The artiste had been on trial since Monday, February 14. The 12 jurors, three of whom were African-Americans, started deliberating last Friday morning.
Banton's first trial ended in September last year with the jurors being unable to reach a unanimous verdict, setting up the second trial.
He was arrested on December 10, 2009, hours after two men — Ian Thomas and James Mack — were busted in an undercover warehouse where they had gone to purchase cocaine. US$135,000 was seized and the gun for which Banton was charged was found in Mack's car. Both men had pleaded guilty and are yet to be sentenced.
The operation was set in train in July 2009 as a result of Banton's bragging to US government informant Alexander Johnson that he was a financier of drugs and sought his assistance in expanding his venture.
The prosecution has contended that Banton was instrumental in brokering the deal, which resulted in the arrest. But Banton said that he was not part of the deal, even though he introduced Thomas to Johnson.
Banton said he was merely talking when he spoke with Johnson about making drug deals and that it was Thomas who brokered the deal. The artiste said he backed away from Johnson after December 8, 2009 when Johnson showed him cocaine in a warehouse. Banton was captured on video tasting the drug.
Minutes after eight o'clock yesterday morning, a relaxed Banton made the short stroll from his hotel to the court surrounded by his attorneys, security detail and supporters. Moments before the jurors resumed deliberations yesterday morning, supporters sent up fervent and lengthy prayers for the artiste's freedom in the hallway of the court.
Despite the verdict, supporters still hold out faith that God will free Banton on appeal.
"Last thing me and DJ spoke about was going home," add a tearful Wayne Wonder, with whom Banton made numerous hit songs in the 1990s. "He was the one who told us to stay strong. It's not over yet."

Buju Banton says thanks to his fans

http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=26681

Jamaican reggae superstar-turned-convict Buju Banton has expressed appreciation to his fans for their support. 

"Our life and our destiny are sometimes predestined and no matter where this journey takes me remember I fought the good fight. It was a great man that said my head is bloody but sill endowed. I love you all, thank you for your support," Buju said in a statement read today by his attorney David Oscar Markus. 

A jury at 2:30 today returned a guilty verdict on three of the four cocaine-related charges for which Buju was tried last week. 

In a brief statement Markus said, "we are all very sad, disappointed and emotional.". 

"The only person who seems to be ok is Buju. We just saw him in the lock-up and he has told us that he was happy that he fought knowing that he is innocent." 

Buju lawyer to appeal case

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buju-lawyer-to-appeal-case


ATTORNEY representing Reggae star Buju Banton, David Oscar Markus, has signalled his intention to appeal the guilty verdict that was handed down in the United States Sam Gibbons Federal Court today.
Banton was declared guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence by a 12-member panel of jurors.
However he was found not guilty of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
The artiste hugged Markus when the verdict was read while many of his supporters left the courtroom crying. He has been detained and has had his bail revoked.
Banton was arrested at his Tamarac home in South Florida in December 2009, a day after his co-defendants Ian Thomas and James Mack were arrested in a government controlled warehouse in Tampa, Florida attempting to buy cocaine from Drug Enforcement Agents.
He was jailed for almost 11 months in the Pinellas County Jail and his first trial in September last year ended in a hung jury forcing US Judge Tom Moody to order a retrial.
The artiste has consistently pleaded his innocence and claims he was entrapped by the US government.

Buju found guilty

News mi neva did waan deliver... Caah believe!!! No sah! Babylon ting

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/Buju-guilty-


REGGAE star Buju Banton was found guilty on three charges by a 12-member panel of jurors a short while ago.
The artiste was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine,  and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence.
However he was found not guilty of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence.
The artiste hugged his lawyer David Markus when the verdict was read.


Many of the artiste's supporters left the courtroom crying. He has been detained and has had his bail revoked..

Nervous moments for Buju as jury asks for more

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Nervous-moments-for-Buju-as-jury-asks-for-more


Jurors ask for clarification on aiding and abetting law


FLORIDA, USA — There were nervous moments for Buju Banton and his supporters a short while ago at the United States Sam Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa when jurors returned from lunch asking for clarification on the aiding and abetting law.
The jurors wanted to know if the aiding applies to the gun charge but after submissions from the defence attorneys and the prosecution the judge James Moody ruled that it does not.
Moody said the aiding and abetting only applies to the wire count against the artiste.
After the ruling attorney David Oscar Markus, representing Banton — real name Mark Myrie — turned to supporters with thumbs up repeating, "Still alive, still alive."
Supporters could be observed clutching each others hands. Deep breathing reverberated and some whispered silent prayers.
Former co-defendant James Mack had been held with the gun for which Banton is charged. Mack has already pleaded guilty and told authorities he never knew Banton before he was arrested.