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
Nov 25, 2011
Buju Banton, promoters endorse upcoming benefit concert
On December 3, 2011, patrons are expected gather around a Tampa, Florida stage seeking to hear lyrics promoting messages of peace, love and harmony from their favorite Reggae superstars. However, while performers will offer various selections of a positive nature, they’ll collectively try to honor an embattled singjay who nurtured his music to provide upliftment for fans worldwide.
Next week Saturday, the Buju Banton benefit concert will take place at the Supa D Tropical Bar & Grill in Tampa, Florida; starting at 1pm. Buju, currently serving a ten year sentence on drug related charges, becomes the subject of an event dedicated towards providing financial support ahead of an appeal on his three convictions stemming from a December 2009 incident. The lineup card for the benefit concert includes internationally renowned Reggae artistes, Delly Ranx, Gramps Morgan, Nadine Sutherland, Glen Washington and Norris Man amongst others whilst featuring a yet-to-be named special guest artiste. Also, persons planning to attend the show will be asked to make a US$20 donation for the cause as organizers hope to make at least US$50,000 from the concert for Buju’s legal defense.
The event’s main organizer, Taranee Jiles, is a long-time friend of Buju Banton; desiring a concept to help the artiste’s cause whilst languishing in a Texas federal prison. Out of friendship and the hope Buju walks free sooner rather than later, Jiles formulated the idea of the benefit concert; an idea fans and supporters of the Grammy-winning singjay quickly bought into.
“Mark is my friend and nobody was doing anything to help him, everybody was just talking, but nobody was acting,” Jiles intimated.
“With Buju's blessings, I decided to do a benefits concert for him. Ran the idea also by his fellow artists and some other supporters, who all thought this was a good idea.”
Buju Banton himself, through his legal team, issued a statement regarding the concert; urging his fans to turn out for the event.
“I, Mark Myrie – aka Buju Banton, support and deem the concert being organized by Taranee Jiles to be a legitimate undertaking in order to raise funds for my legal defense and pending appeal. Your kind support will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,” the statement read.
After meeting with the owner of the Supa D Tropical Bar & Grill, Dwight Blake, the idea began to play out; drawing in several Reggae acts along the way.
According to Jiles, the concert not only raises awareness that Buju needs supports in his toughest hour but raises his already iconic stature to new heights given what his music provided for fans worldwide.
“We are our brother's keeper! Buju's music is uplifting and has touched people's hearts in Jamaica as well as the rest of the world; proof of that is his recent Grammy win. Buju's physical presence is surely missed,” Jiles insisted.
She continued, “His fellow artists come together in unity to aid this cause. It is time for the people to give back and uplift him now. It will give him the opportunity to defend himself. The concert will help uplift him and assure him, ‘You are not alone; we got your back.’ It proves to the world ‘Solidarity.’”
Meanwhile, Blake, fellow organizer of the event, intimated that it was natural for him to support the cause given that he’s been a fan of Buju Banton for several years; finding his situation rather unfortunate. Confident that a positive turn out would occur for the benefit concert at his venue, Blake believes that not only will it unify Buju’s legions of fans, the event can also raise the profile of Reggae music.
“Reggae is a genre that every walk of life recognizes and love, it doesn’t matter where you come from. Many people of different ethnicity, race and culture enjoys reggae and it’s something that can continue to be introduced to those who never heard it or take the time to listen to. Encouragement is the key and promoting the event encourages others to come out and support the cause,” Blake said.
Jiles echoes Blake’s sentiment; explaining that Reggae music has done so much for society that they would be remised if they didn’t honor one of its patriarchs.
“It (Reggae) has a long history and originated from Slavery days with very powerful and meaningful lyrics and as a form of communication to help fight oppression. It helped uplift Mankind of all walks of life to overcome/to push forward and to stay strong! This concert will help the Reggae Industry in General by keeping the fyah blazing,” Jiles said.
Furthermore, Jiles implied that despite Buju’s current predicament, it will strengthen the established singjay as well as the Reggae genre going forward.
“You might be able to clip the branches, but you cannot remove the Root. Same as you can imprison the physical body, but not imprison the spirit. Reggae Music will not be suppressed, but is here to stay!”
Source: Buju Banton, promoters endorse upcoming benefit concert - National Jamaican Pop Culture | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/jamaican-pop-culture-in-national/buju-banton-promoters-endorse-upcoming-benefit-concert#ixzz1ejUjALfh
Sep 24, 2011
Buju moved to Texas
REGGAE artiste Buju Banton will serve his ten year prison sentence at the Limestone County Correctional Institution in Groesbeck, Texas. Banton was moved from a holding facility in the state of Oklahama by air to the facility on Friday.
He spent more than a month at the Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma after being moved from the Pinellas County Jail in Tampa, Florida.
Banton, whose inmate number is 86700-004, is set to be released on February 1, 2019.
Register as Mark Anthony Myrie, Banton was found guilty of drug related charges and sentenced to 10 years in a Tampa, Florida court in February. A first trial ended in a mistrial after a panel of jurors could not unanimously decide on his guilt or innocence.
He has maintained his innocence and claims he was entrapped by the United States Government.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buju-moved-to-Texas#ixzz1YtlN8eek
He spent more than a month at the Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma after being moved from the Pinellas County Jail in Tampa, Florida.
Banton, whose inmate number is 86700-004, is set to be released on February 1, 2019.
Register as Mark Anthony Myrie, Banton was found guilty of drug related charges and sentenced to 10 years in a Tampa, Florida court in February. A first trial ended in a mistrial after a panel of jurors could not unanimously decide on his guilt or innocence.
He has maintained his innocence and claims he was entrapped by the United States Government.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buju-moved-to-Texas#ixzz1YtlN8eek
Sep 20, 2011
Buju Banton’s release date set for February 2019
Buju Banton will have to wait until the final year of this decade to become a free man once more after the United States Bureau of prisons confirmed that his official release date has been set for February 2019.
The official release date quells rumors that have swirled that Buju would originally serve 6 years; counting time already served & good behavior. However, the Bureau’s official release date set for February 2019 includes the time the prominent Reggae entertainer served in prison prior to & between his two trials within the last year.
According to Professor & highly regarded attorney-at-law, David Rowe, explained that Buju Banton will also get credit for 16% of “federal gain time,” that is time that he serves whilst not violating federal rules behind bars. Should he violate the rules, Buju’s sentence may be extended.
Buju Banton was convicted on three drug related charges this past February as a result of a December 2009 incident in which he allegedly conspired to organize a drug deal within a police controlled warehouse. Banton received a ten year sentence for the incident. However, his lawyer, David Markus plans to appeal that ruling in a Georgia courtroom in the near future.
Currently, Buju has yet to officially serve his time; remains listed in transit as he’s expected to be sent to a federal prison in Mississippi.
By Jodee Brown, Jamaican Pop Culture Examiner
Sep 8, 2011
Buju yet to start serving prison sentence; remains in transit
Embattled Reggae superstar, Mark Myrie, more popularly known as Buju Banton, has still yet to officially serve his prison sentence as there remains doubt as to where he’ll actually serve his time.
Banton was due to be housed at a holding facility in Oklahoma but the official website for the Federal Bureau of Prisons has him listed as “in transit,” despite insisting they have him in their custody. According to Buju’s lawyer, David Markus, Buju was scheduled to serve his ten year sentence at a prison facility in Mississippi but now will be transferred to a facility in Texas. A source close to the situation told the Jamaica Observer that Buju is being transferred to the medium security Texas facility given that a co-defendant in the case is already serving his time at the Mississippi prison.
Meanwhile, Markus has once again indicated that he will appeal Buju’s ten year sentence but are still waiting from information relating to the “Optimistic Soul” singer’s trial in February. "We are still waiting on the transcripts from the trial, so the appeal has not been filed yet. It will most likely be filed around Thanksgiving,” Markus told the Observer. Despite the cloud surrounding the whereabouts of Buju & his struggles behind bars, Markus intimated that Banton remains upbeat & hopeful that the appeal would be successful. "Buju would like his friends, family, and fans to know that he is hanging in there and waiting to be transferred. We are still fighting on appeal and are hoping for better days ahead," Markus stated.
Source: http://www.examiner.com/jamaican-pop-culture-in-national/buju-yet-to-start-serving-prison-sentence-remains-transit
Aug 8, 2011
Buju moved
REGGAE star Buju Banton is now being transferred from the Pinellas County Jail in Florida to a correctional facility in Mississippi to begin serving his 10-year sentence.
Banton will be taken to the Adams County Correctional Center in Natchez, Mississippi.
A bed shortage at the Pinellas County Jail in Florida has forced US officials to move Buju Banton to a private corrections facility in Mississippi.
Defence attorney David Oscar Markus, who represented the embattled artiste, in his drug trial, told the Sunday Observer that United States magistrate James Moody recommended that Banton serve his sentence at a facility in Florida, but a shortage of beds caused him to be transferred to the Mississippi-based prison.
"The judge recommended that he serve his time in Florida, but there were no beds in Miami, and the ultimate decision was made by the Bureau of Prisons. We are hopeful that when a bed opens up down here (Florida) that we can get him transferred so that it is easier on his family (and us) to see him," Markus said.
The Adams County Prison has the capacity to house 2,232 male prisoners and is owned by the corrections management provider, CCA.
The company is the fifth-largest corrections system in the US and houses 75,000 offenders and detainees in more than 60 facilities across that country.
CCA is a private corrections business which specialises in the design, construction, expansion and management of prisons, jails and detention facilities, as well as inmate transportation services.
The artiste was sentenced in the Sam Gibbons US Court in Tampa, Florida in June this year of conspiring to negotiate a drug deal in a police-controlled warehouse in Florida.
Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was arrested at his home in Tamarac, South Florida after almost a year of surveillance of telephone and live conversations and video recordings that included him tasting cocaine in a Saratoga warehouse.
He has consistently pleaded his innocence and maintained that he was entrapped by government informant Alexander Johnson, who he claims was paid US$50,000 to ensnare him.
The 38-year-old artiste has since signalled his intention to pursue higher education in the form of a master's degree in economics and political science while he is incarcerated.
His attorneys have also indicated that they are planning to appeal his sentence before a three-member panel of judges in an appellate court in Georgia.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buju-moved_9389729
Banton will be taken to the Adams County Correctional Center in Natchez, Mississippi.
A bed shortage at the Pinellas County Jail in Florida has forced US officials to move Buju Banton to a private corrections facility in Mississippi.
Defence attorney David Oscar Markus, who represented the embattled artiste, in his drug trial, told the Sunday Observer that United States magistrate James Moody recommended that Banton serve his sentence at a facility in Florida, but a shortage of beds caused him to be transferred to the Mississippi-based prison.
"The judge recommended that he serve his time in Florida, but there were no beds in Miami, and the ultimate decision was made by the Bureau of Prisons. We are hopeful that when a bed opens up down here (Florida) that we can get him transferred so that it is easier on his family (and us) to see him," Markus said.
The Adams County Prison has the capacity to house 2,232 male prisoners and is owned by the corrections management provider, CCA.
The company is the fifth-largest corrections system in the US and houses 75,000 offenders and detainees in more than 60 facilities across that country.
CCA is a private corrections business which specialises in the design, construction, expansion and management of prisons, jails and detention facilities, as well as inmate transportation services.
The artiste was sentenced in the Sam Gibbons US Court in Tampa, Florida in June this year of conspiring to negotiate a drug deal in a police-controlled warehouse in Florida.
Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was arrested at his home in Tamarac, South Florida after almost a year of surveillance of telephone and live conversations and video recordings that included him tasting cocaine in a Saratoga warehouse.
He has consistently pleaded his innocence and maintained that he was entrapped by government informant Alexander Johnson, who he claims was paid US$50,000 to ensnare him.
The 38-year-old artiste has since signalled his intention to pursue higher education in the form of a master's degree in economics and political science while he is incarcerated.
His attorneys have also indicated that they are planning to appeal his sentence before a three-member panel of judges in an appellate court in Georgia.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buju-moved_9389729
Jul 8, 2011
Buju Banton begins appeal
Dancehall star Buju Banton has started the second round in his battle for freedom.
But it could take up to 18 months before Buju, whose real name is Mark Myrie, knows if he will escape a 10-year prison sentence which was imposed on him by a United States judge after he was convicted on drug charges.
Lawyers representing Buju on Tuesday filed a formal notice of appeal in the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Attorney-at-law David Oscar Markus told The Gleaner that he is moving ahead with his appeal of the guilty verdict handed down against the artiste.
Markus will also be challenging the 10-year sentence imposed by US judge, Jim Moodie.
"Our appeal is due to be filed 40 days after we receive the transcripts (of the trial) which we are still waiting for," Markus said.
"We will not give up for Buju, who is thankful to all of his fans and friends for their continued support," Markus added yesterday.
18-month wait
He could not say when the appeal would be heard, but noted that it generally takes about 18 months to get a decision from the US Court of Appeal Eleventh Circuit.
The Appeal Court is based in Atlanta Georgia, but has satellite courts in Florida, Mississippi and Alabama.
Three judges will hear the case and Markus is prepared for the fight.
Minutes after the sentence was handed down last month, Markus told reporters outside the court that his appeal would be based on the argument that there was insufficient evidence to convict Buju on the drug count.
The attorney further argued that there was entrapment as a matter of law because of the US government informant Ian Johnson who first approached Buju about getting involved in a cocaine deal.
Buju is now languishing in a minimum security Federal prison serving his sentence.
Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110707/lead/lead7.html
But it could take up to 18 months before Buju, whose real name is Mark Myrie, knows if he will escape a 10-year prison sentence which was imposed on him by a United States judge after he was convicted on drug charges.
Lawyers representing Buju on Tuesday filed a formal notice of appeal in the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Attorney-at-law David Oscar Markus told The Gleaner that he is moving ahead with his appeal of the guilty verdict handed down against the artiste.
Markus will also be challenging the 10-year sentence imposed by US judge, Jim Moodie.
"Our appeal is due to be filed 40 days after we receive the transcripts (of the trial) which we are still waiting for," Markus said.
"We will not give up for Buju, who is thankful to all of his fans and friends for their continued support," Markus added yesterday.
18-month wait
He could not say when the appeal would be heard, but noted that it generally takes about 18 months to get a decision from the US Court of Appeal Eleventh Circuit.
The Appeal Court is based in Atlanta Georgia, but has satellite courts in Florida, Mississippi and Alabama.
Three judges will hear the case and Markus is prepared for the fight.
Minutes after the sentence was handed down last month, Markus told reporters outside the court that his appeal would be based on the argument that there was insufficient evidence to convict Buju on the drug count.
The attorney further argued that there was entrapment as a matter of law because of the US government informant Ian Johnson who first approached Buju about getting involved in a cocaine deal.
Buju is now languishing in a minimum security Federal prison serving his sentence.
Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110707/lead/lead7.html
Jul 3, 2011
Buju moved to different jail
CONVICTED Reggae artiste Buju Banton has been transferred from the Pinellas County Jail to the Citrus County Jail in Tampa, Florida.
The artiste will be processed by correctional staff at that penal facility before he knows where he will spend his 10 year sentence for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine. His attorney David Oscar Markus told the Observer that the prison board had not yet decided which prison Banton will be housed.
He was sentenced in the Sam Gibbons US Court by Judge James Moody two Thursdays ago.
Banton, whose is registered as Mark Anthony Myrie, will not have any of his assets seized by the United States government after testimony by a drug enforcement agent that despite investigating him for over a year, there was no evidence that he profited from any illicit drug transaction.
He was arrested in December 2009 at his home in South Florida hours after his two co-defendants, Ian Thomas and James Mack were arrested after they attempted to buy large amounts of cocaine from federal agents in a police controlled warehouse.
Both men have pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 51 months.
Banton meanwhile has signalled his intention to earn a Masters degree in political science and economics during his incarceration.
Despite being sentenced to 10 years, the Grammy winning artiste could be set free in six years as his 18 month remand while awaiting the outcome of his trial and good behaviour while in prison could see him spending just six years.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buju-moved-to-different-jail
The artiste will be processed by correctional staff at that penal facility before he knows where he will spend his 10 year sentence for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine. His attorney David Oscar Markus told the Observer that the prison board had not yet decided which prison Banton will be housed.
He was sentenced in the Sam Gibbons US Court by Judge James Moody two Thursdays ago.
Banton, whose is registered as Mark Anthony Myrie, will not have any of his assets seized by the United States government after testimony by a drug enforcement agent that despite investigating him for over a year, there was no evidence that he profited from any illicit drug transaction.
He was arrested in December 2009 at his home in South Florida hours after his two co-defendants, Ian Thomas and James Mack were arrested after they attempted to buy large amounts of cocaine from federal agents in a police controlled warehouse.
Both men have pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 51 months.
Banton meanwhile has signalled his intention to earn a Masters degree in political science and economics during his incarceration.
Despite being sentenced to 10 years, the Grammy winning artiste could be set free in six years as his 18 month remand while awaiting the outcome of his trial and good behaviour while in prison could see him spending just six years.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buju-moved-to-different-jail
Jun 27, 2011
Buju turns to academics - Artiste pursuing master's degree
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buju-turns-to-academics_9068454
AS Buju Banton says goodbye to his freedom for what could be at least six years behind US prison walls for a drug conviction, the Rastafarian reggae artiste says he intends to spend his time seeking higher learning.
Speaking exclusively with the Sunday Observer after his 10-year sentence was handed down in the Sam Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa, Florida last Thursday, Banton (real name Mark Anthony Myrie) said he was already attending classes inside the Pinellas County Jail in Tampa and planned to attain a master's degree by the time his federal sentence is served.
"I am already going to classes. I have passed the acceptance test and I will be studying political science and economics. I hope to get a master's by the time I am released," Myrie said.
With steely resolve ringing in his voice during a telephone conversation with this newspaper, Myrie was adamant that he would not crumble under the pressures of incarceration and said he was determined to make good out of his troubles.
"I can do anything I put my mind to; you know that. I have balls of steel. People who know me know that I am very determined and will achieve my goals despite hardships. I will not allow the system to conquer me," the artiste declared.
In the United States, inmates serving federal time are allowed to pursue tertiary education in an effort to rehabilitate them and curb the high rate of recidivism.
A study by the Graduate Centre of the City University of New York revealed that inmates who take college classes while in prison are four times more likely to stay out of trouble when they are released. The research showed that only 7.7 per cent of inmates who took college courses returned to prison, compared to 29.9 per cent of those who did not. The New York study also found that college prison programmes save US taxpayers about US$900,000 per 100 students every two years.
Myrie's attorney, David Markus, has repeatedly pointed to his client's strength of character and told reporters that despite being jailed for 18 months since December 2010, the artiste had remained optimistic and in high spirits.
Markus was dismissive of suggestions by reporters outside the courtroom that guilty pleas by Myrie's co-defendants Ian Thomas and James Mack had a bearing on the 10-year sentence meted out to the artiste.
Thomas and Mack both received sentences of 51 months after filing guilty pleas. Both were held attempting to purchase a large quantity of cocaine from undercover drug enforcement agents in a police-controlled wharehouse in Sarasota, Florida, hours before Myrie himself was arrested at his home in Tamarac, South Florida and carted off to jail.
"There is a big difference. Mark has fought two trials and I think that stands for what kind of character Mr Myrie is to the other people," Markus said.
Myrie, dressed in his grey prison uniform with shackles around his ankles, seemed resigned to his fate in the courtroom last Thursday, even flashing a brief smile after his sentence was handed down by United States Judge Jim Moody .
He laughed loudly many times during his brief conversation with the Sunday Observer.
He repeated his expression of thanks for the outpouring of support and urged his fans and well-wishers to be strong.
"Even though the days ahead may be filled with despair, I will prevail over this malady that has befallen me. I may be down but not out and I shall return," was his message.
Markus has signalled his intention to appeal the judgement in an appellate court in Atlanta, Georgia and exuded confidence that the possibility exists that the 38-year-old Myrie could be out of prison in two years if his arguments hold water with a three-member panel of judges.
Moody had on Thursday dropped the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug offence against Myrie.
"We are looking forward to the appeal," said Markus. "We believe we have a lot of good issues on the appeal and now that we have knocked out two of the counts we have got two to go. We are not going to stop fighting on those two."
Buju Banton, the only surviving son for his late mother and the only son sired by his father Benjamin Myrie, shot to prominence in the early 1990s with the hit song Browning. He ruled the world of dancehall with his raspy vocals and catchy lyrics before his conversion to the Rastafarian faith about six years later.
Since then, he has had five Grammy nominations and was awarded the Reggae Grammy earlier this year for his album Before The Dawn, just weeks before he was convicted by a 12-member panel of jurors for his role in a cocaine deal.
An earlier trial in 2010 ended in a mistrial after a jury could not unanimously decide on his guilt or innocence.
AS Buju Banton says goodbye to his freedom for what could be at least six years behind US prison walls for a drug conviction, the Rastafarian reggae artiste says he intends to spend his time seeking higher learning.
Speaking exclusively with the Sunday Observer after his 10-year sentence was handed down in the Sam Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa, Florida last Thursday, Banton (real name Mark Anthony Myrie) said he was already attending classes inside the Pinellas County Jail in Tampa and planned to attain a master's degree by the time his federal sentence is served.
"I am already going to classes. I have passed the acceptance test and I will be studying political science and economics. I hope to get a master's by the time I am released," Myrie said.
With steely resolve ringing in his voice during a telephone conversation with this newspaper, Myrie was adamant that he would not crumble under the pressures of incarceration and said he was determined to make good out of his troubles.
"I can do anything I put my mind to; you know that. I have balls of steel. People who know me know that I am very determined and will achieve my goals despite hardships. I will not allow the system to conquer me," the artiste declared.
In the United States, inmates serving federal time are allowed to pursue tertiary education in an effort to rehabilitate them and curb the high rate of recidivism.
A study by the Graduate Centre of the City University of New York revealed that inmates who take college classes while in prison are four times more likely to stay out of trouble when they are released. The research showed that only 7.7 per cent of inmates who took college courses returned to prison, compared to 29.9 per cent of those who did not. The New York study also found that college prison programmes save US taxpayers about US$900,000 per 100 students every two years.
Myrie's attorney, David Markus, has repeatedly pointed to his client's strength of character and told reporters that despite being jailed for 18 months since December 2010, the artiste had remained optimistic and in high spirits.
Markus was dismissive of suggestions by reporters outside the courtroom that guilty pleas by Myrie's co-defendants Ian Thomas and James Mack had a bearing on the 10-year sentence meted out to the artiste.
Thomas and Mack both received sentences of 51 months after filing guilty pleas. Both were held attempting to purchase a large quantity of cocaine from undercover drug enforcement agents in a police-controlled wharehouse in Sarasota, Florida, hours before Myrie himself was arrested at his home in Tamarac, South Florida and carted off to jail.
"There is a big difference. Mark has fought two trials and I think that stands for what kind of character Mr Myrie is to the other people," Markus said.
Myrie, dressed in his grey prison uniform with shackles around his ankles, seemed resigned to his fate in the courtroom last Thursday, even flashing a brief smile after his sentence was handed down by United States Judge Jim Moody .
He laughed loudly many times during his brief conversation with the Sunday Observer.
He repeated his expression of thanks for the outpouring of support and urged his fans and well-wishers to be strong.
"Even though the days ahead may be filled with despair, I will prevail over this malady that has befallen me. I may be down but not out and I shall return," was his message.
Markus has signalled his intention to appeal the judgement in an appellate court in Atlanta, Georgia and exuded confidence that the possibility exists that the 38-year-old Myrie could be out of prison in two years if his arguments hold water with a three-member panel of judges.
Moody had on Thursday dropped the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug offence against Myrie.
"We are looking forward to the appeal," said Markus. "We believe we have a lot of good issues on the appeal and now that we have knocked out two of the counts we have got two to go. We are not going to stop fighting on those two."
Buju Banton, the only surviving son for his late mother and the only son sired by his father Benjamin Myrie, shot to prominence in the early 1990s with the hit song Browning. He ruled the world of dancehall with his raspy vocals and catchy lyrics before his conversion to the Rastafarian faith about six years later.
Since then, he has had five Grammy nominations and was awarded the Reggae Grammy earlier this year for his album Before The Dawn, just weeks before he was convicted by a 12-member panel of jurors for his role in a cocaine deal.
An earlier trial in 2010 ended in a mistrial after a jury could not unanimously decide on his guilt or innocence.
Jun 24, 2011
Buju Banton timeline
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Buju-Banton-timeline_9055035
SINCE the early 1990s, the name Buju Banton has been at the forefront of the Jamaican and international reggae/ dancehall music fraternity. The deejay, known for his engaging live performances fuelled by a poignant catalogue of music, was yesterday convicted on drug charges. Here is a look at the time line of the artiste.
1972 -- Mark Anthony Myrie is born in Salt Lane, St Andrew on July 15.
1986 -- a young Buju is introduced to producer Robert Ffrench by fellow deejay Clement Irie.
The publicity photo of the artiste released in the early 1990s. At right: The high-riding deejay prior to his embrace of Rastafari and growing his locks.
1987 -- Buju drops first single. Debuting with the track The Ruler.
1991 -- Buju joined Donovan Germain's Penthouse Records label leading to the release of popular hits including Bogle, Browning and Black Woman.
1992 -- Re-release of Buju Boom Bye Bye, which had been recorded years earlier.
1994 -- Buju, reportedly affected by the singer Garnett Silk's death, embraces Rastafari and begins growing his locks.
1995 -- Buju releases what is considered his seminal album 'Til Shiloh -- marking a slight shift away from dancehall towards roots reggae.
1999 -- Buju drops Inna Heights which earns him a Grammy nomination.
2004 -- Saw the release of the politically charged Friends for Life album which also received a Grammy nod.
2007 -- In a return to his dancehall roots, Buju dropped the album Too Bad which also found favour with the Grammy panel.
2009 -- On April 21 Buju releases album Rasta Got Soul.
2009 -- In September, Buju kicks off Rasta Got Soul tour of the United States at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia. However, the tour is plagued by cancellations due to pressure from gay rights groups.
2009 -- On October 13, following the cancellation of a number of dates on his Rasta Got Soul tour, Buju meets with four members of San Francisco's gay community.
2009 -- In December Drug Enforcement Administration agents remanded Banton into custody in Miami, where the US District Attorney charged him with conspiracy to distribute and possession of more than five kilogrammes of cocaine.
2010 -- On September 27, the case against Buju Banton was declared a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision.
2010 -- Before the Dawn, the ninth studio album from Buju is release in North America and Japan on September 28.
2010 -- on November 10, Buju is released on bond.
2011 -- January 16, Buju performs to a sold-out audience at a specially arranged fund-raising concert held at the Bayfront Park Amphitheatre in downtown Miami.
2011 -- On February 13 -- one day before the scheduled start of his retrial in Tampa, Florida -- Buju Banton's Before The Dawn album is announced as the winner of the Best Reggae Album category at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards being held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California
2011 -- February 22 -- Buju is 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 communication wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence. He was found not guilty on the charge of attempted possession of five kilogrammes or more of cocaine.
SINCE the early 1990s, the name Buju Banton has been at the forefront of the Jamaican and international reggae/ dancehall music fraternity. The deejay, known for his engaging live performances fuelled by a poignant catalogue of music, was yesterday convicted on drug charges. Here is a look at the time line of the artiste.
1972 -- Mark Anthony Myrie is born in Salt Lane, St Andrew on July 15.
1986 -- a young Buju is introduced to producer Robert Ffrench by fellow deejay Clement Irie.
The publicity photo of the artiste released in the early 1990s. At right: The high-riding deejay prior to his embrace of Rastafari and growing his locks.
1987 -- Buju drops first single. Debuting with the track The Ruler.
1991 -- Buju joined Donovan Germain's Penthouse Records label leading to the release of popular hits including Bogle, Browning and Black Woman.
1992 -- Re-release of Buju Boom Bye Bye, which had been recorded years earlier.
1994 -- Buju, reportedly affected by the singer Garnett Silk's death, embraces Rastafari and begins growing his locks.
1995 -- Buju releases what is considered his seminal album 'Til Shiloh -- marking a slight shift away from dancehall towards roots reggae.
1999 -- Buju drops Inna Heights which earns him a Grammy nomination.
2004 -- Saw the release of the politically charged Friends for Life album which also received a Grammy nod.
2007 -- In a return to his dancehall roots, Buju dropped the album Too Bad which also found favour with the Grammy panel.
2009 -- On April 21 Buju releases album Rasta Got Soul.
2009 -- In September, Buju kicks off Rasta Got Soul tour of the United States at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia. However, the tour is plagued by cancellations due to pressure from gay rights groups.
2009 -- On October 13, following the cancellation of a number of dates on his Rasta Got Soul tour, Buju meets with four members of San Francisco's gay community.
2009 -- In December Drug Enforcement Administration agents remanded Banton into custody in Miami, where the US District Attorney charged him with conspiracy to distribute and possession of more than five kilogrammes of cocaine.
2010 -- On September 27, the case against Buju Banton was declared a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision.
2010 -- Before the Dawn, the ninth studio album from Buju is release in North America and Japan on September 28.
2010 -- on November 10, Buju is released on bond.
2011 -- January 16, Buju performs to a sold-out audience at a specially arranged fund-raising concert held at the Bayfront Park Amphitheatre in downtown Miami.
2011 -- On February 13 -- one day before the scheduled start of his retrial in Tampa, Florida -- Buju Banton's Before The Dawn album is announced as the winner of the Best Reggae Album category at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards being held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California
2011 -- February 22 -- Buju is 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 communication wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence. He was found not guilty on the charge of attempted possession of five kilogrammes or more of cocaine.
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