Free Buju Banton!!!

9/24/2010

TAMPA - Jurors in the federal drug trial of Buju Banton went home for the weekend after deliberating for a second day without reaching a verdict.

The 37-year-old reggae singer could face up to life in prison if convicted.
Jurors deliberated for about seven hours today following about three hours of deliberations Thursday. The panel will return to court Monday.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, had been held without bail since his arrest in December following a sting at a Sarasota warehouse.

The defense maintains Banton was set up by a government informantwho cajoled and charmed him into talking "garbage" about drug trafficking.

But prosecutors are using tapes of Banton's conversations and a video of him sampling cocaine to argue that the singer was a drug traffickerwho hoped to expand his operations with the informant's help.

 http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/sep/24/241718/still-no-verdict-in-trial-of-reggae-singer-buju-ba/news-breaking/ 

02/04/2010

Embattled deejay, Mark 'Buju Banton' Myrie, who has been in Federal custody since December last year, is scheduled to return to court for a status conference today.

Buju has been held in Tampa, Florida, awaiting trial on drug charges. The trial is expected to begin in early March.

In a report carried earlier, Banton's lawyer, David Markus says the government entrapped his client in a drug deal.

In court documents filed in January, Markus claimed that the government used a paid informant to convince his client to buy cocaine, the St Petersburg Times reports. The defence is reportedly pushing to have the informant's identity revealed.

To prove entrapment, Markus will have to show that Banton was not predisposed to engaging in criminal behaviour and that the government induced him, an Associated Press report stated in January.

Banton was arrested at his home December 10. The 36-year-old, born Mark Myrie, pleaded not guilty to a drug charge in a Tampa federal court. He's being held without bail at Pinellas County Jail.

01/26/2010

TAMPA - An attorney for Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton says in court papers filed today he may use an entrapment defense in the Grammy nominee's federal drug case.

The defense says in court papers that confidential source who helped authorities investigate the singer pestered Banton for months to join him in a cocaine deal.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, is being held without bail on charges of conspiring to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting his co-defendants in possessing a firearm during the course of the cocaine distribution.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has said in court filings that Myrie contacted a confidential informant about a possible cocaine purchase. The next day, Myrie and other men met with the informant at Sarasota's La Tropicana de Havana restaurant, where the DEA and local police had set up video and audio surveillance.

Now the defense is asking a judge to order prosecutors to disclose the identity of the confidential source, whom Myrie met on flight from Madrid to Miami in July, according to court papers filed by Myrie attorney David Oscar Markus.

"During the long international flight to Miami, the (confidential source), after softening up Mr. Myrie with small talk, began discussing cocaine," Markus writes in a court filing. "Throughout the flight, the CS tried to interest Mr. Myrie in buying cocaine. Mr. Myrie, however, was not interested."

The source, Markus alleges, is a "paid government informant."

Markus is seeking information about the source's prior criminal record and how much money the source was paid for his help in this case and others.

Markus alleges the source kept in touch with Murie and relentlessly pressured him to sell cocaine. Some of the conversations were recorded, Markus writes, and the recordings captured Myrie's "repeated attempts to putt off" the source.

"Finally, on December 8, 2009, the CS was successful in convincing Mr. Myrie to meet with him," Markus wrote. "Just to make sure Mr. Myrie attended, at 12:50 p.m. the CS called Mr. Myrie. However, the tape of the call reflects Mr. Myrie did not want to meet.

"Nonetheless, according to the complaint, Mr. Myrie attended the meeting at 2:29 p.m. at an 'undercover warehouse.' At this preliminary meeting, the CI showed Mr. Myrie and a co-defendant a brick of cocaine.

"Mr. Myrie then went back to Miami."

Two co-defendants continued to meet with the source, and the co-defendants were arrested when they met the source in a warehouse.

The DEA says in court papers that during the first warehouse meeting, an undercover law enforcement officer pulled a brick out of the 20-kilogram load of cocaine, and one of Myrie's associates sliced it open with a knife.

Myrie, according to the affidavit, "instantly wiped the blade of that knife with his finger and placed that finger in his mouth in what appeared to be an attempt to taste the cocaine."

1/16/2010
Even though Buju Banton has problem of his own he yesterday announced that he will be lending a helping hand to the people of Haiti.

the incarcerated reggae superstar Buju Banton has pledged to donate US1000 along with clothing and other necessary items.

Thousands of Haitians are feared dead or missing and an unknown number of others lacking food, clean water or medical care, international rescue teams descended on this ravaged capital Thursday to provide assistance

1/10/2010

Grammy-nominated reggae artist Buju Banton sits in a Miami federal prison opting to wave his rights for bail after facing charges stemming from a December 10th drug bust.

Banton, born Mark Anthony Myrie in Kingston, Jamaica, was arrested in his Tamarac, Fla., home allegedly trying to purchase more than 5 kilograms of cocaine from undercover officers. Banton plead not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to possess and intent to distribute cocaine. By not seeking bail, he staves off deportation. Banton is being transferred to Tampa where he will be prosecuted.

Dancehall reggae artist Red Rat, who collaborated with Banton on the 1997 song “Love Dem Bad,” told The Miami Herald he believes his friend is being set up.

“We don't know Buju as that type of person. We know Buju as the revolutionary that he is, the one who sings about love and uplifting yourself as a people in the dancehall reggae world. Yeah he did 'Boom Bye Bye,' but that was a young Buju."

“Boom Bye Bye,” the controversial 1992 song Banton wrote when he was 15 in response to a man/boy rape case in Jamaica and sang prominently in clubs for several years, contains violent homophobic lyrics suggesting the pouring of acid on homosexuals and shooting them “like an old tire wheel.”

The Stop Murder Music Campaign was initiated by gay rights activist Peter Tatchell in response to Jamaican musicians, reggae and dancehall artist who called for violence against homosexuals. Created after “Boom Bye Bye” was released, the campaign accuses Banton, Beenie Man, Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Capleton, T.O.K. and others of promoting violence against the LGBT community through their music.

As the campaign grew and gathered worldwide support, The Reggae Compassionate Act was created in 2007. Artists who signed the Act pledged not sing lyrics or make public statements in Jamaica, or anywhere else in the world, that incite prejudice, hatred or violence against lesbian and gay people.

“By signing The Reggae Compassionate Act, they are stating that, in the future, they will not release new homophobic songs or authorize the re-release of previous homophobic songs,” Tatchell told Jamaican News.

Beenie Man, Sizzla and Capleton signed the Act while Elephant Man, T.O.K., Bounty Killa, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton were among the artists who did not.

“The campaign against them continues,” Tatchell said. “These singers have incited the murder of lesbians and gays. They should not be rewarded with concerts or sponsorship deals.

“We call on all people of good conscience to boycott these promoters of hatred and violence; and to campaign against them with the same determination that they would campaign against racists and anti-Semites. These unrepentant homophobic performers are the moral equivalent of neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan.”

These views were echoed by Dennis Carney, of the Black Gay Mens Advisory Group (BGMAG) in London and Gareth Wiliams, co-chair of the Jamaican gay human rights group, J-Flag.

Jamaica is well-known for fostering a homophobic environment and upholds the anti-buggery law as many islands in the Caribbean consider this a criminal act. As recent as March 2009 parliament member Ernest Smith decreed punishment charges were not stiff enough and that homosexuals were "abusive and violent.”

Banton has expressed his wishes to move forward and distance himself from his 17-year-old song and the hostility that follows. But controversy ensues. In 2004, Banton was acquitted on charges he participated in the beating of six gay men by a gang in Jamaica. In 2007 Banton can be seen singing “Boom Bye Bye” in Jamaica and is quoted yelling "There is no end to the war between me and faggots."

An outpour of protest last fall caused AEG Live Nation to cancel a string of dates for Banton. The loss of revenue was staggering. A press statement released by L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center CEO Lorri L. Jean said: "I hope this victory sends a deafeningly loud message to other promoters and concert venues that singers who glorify violence against LGBT people, or any group of people, should never be welcomed. It shouldn't be necessary for us to pressure promoters to do the right thing; people like Banton should never have been booked in the first place."

Banton is a four-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter who, according to Tracii McGregor, president of Banton's Gargamel label, has focused his lyrical talents condemning gun violence, brought attention to genocide in Sudan, and has been involved with US-based nonprofits working on behalf of underprivileged youth in Jamaica.

In October 2009 Banton had his first meeting with representatives of the gay community. Hours before a scheduled performance at the Rockit Room in San Francisco, Banton met with Supervisor Bevan Dufty, Supervisor Eric Mar, Equality California's Andrea Shorter, LGBT Community Center Executive Director Rebecca Rolfe, and gay activist and blogger Michael Petrelis.

However, a peaceful demonstration protesting his show was not to be had. According to the club’s booking manager, Benjamin Thompson, a bomb threat was received. Angry protester and Banton fans clashed in a battle of accusations of racism and homophobia.

"The meeting was a first step, but he has a lot to consider and to think about," Dufty told The Bay Area Reporter.

Later that same month, Banton performed in downtown Miami for a Halloween concert which has locals screaming conspiracy and view his arrest as an assault on reggae music.

Winston Barnes, host of a Jamaican radio talk show for WAVS (1170-AM), told the Miami Herald, “They are convinced it's directly connected to the concert he had recently. What [the callers] are saying is that he got off that time and they are fixing him now. It is one big mess."

GLAAD increased its protest after it was announced Banton’s latest album, Rasta Got Soul, had been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Reggae Album category.

The Grammy Awards take place in Los Angeles on Jan. 31. It is unlikely Banton will attend the awards ceremony.

Source:

1/8/2010

Dancehall star Buju Banton will miss the January 31 Grammy Awards where his latest album, Rasta Got Soul, is one of five nominated for the reggae prize.

While the winner is being named, Buju will be in a federal prison where he will stay until his trial in March.

After spending Christmas behind bars, Buju appeared in court yesterday but did not apply for bail.

Instead, Buju entered a not-guilty plea when he appeared in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division.

"We pleaded not guilty today (yesterday) because Buju is an innocent man," attorney-at-law David P. Markus told The Gleaner yesterday, minutes after leaving the courtroom.

Markus has already expressed confidence in securing an acquittal for Buju on the basis that "the government's case has got no soul".

After court yesterday, the attorney remained in a positive mood, even as his client was returned to custody.

"We are eagerly awaiting trial in March so the truth can be told," added Markus.

He told The Gleaner that no application for bail was entered during the latest court appearance because of Buju's "immigration status".

Visa Cancelled

US officials cancelled the entertainer's visa issued to Buju shortly after he was arrested and charged last month.

Because of the cancellation of his visa, Buju, whose correct name is Mark Myrie, would be subject to detention under the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detainer even if he was granted bail on the criminal charges.

Buju will remain in federal custody until February 4 when he returns to court for a status conference before the trial expected to begin in early March.

The trial had reportedly been set to begin on February 1, but the attorney representing Ian Thomas, one of two men charged with Buju, requested that the date be changed.

Buju, Thomas and James Mack, were indicted late last year by a Grand Jury on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.

The three face the possibility of up to life in prison if found guilty on both counts.

Thomas and Mack, otherwise known as 'Spencer Clarke', were already denied bail.

All three are represented by separate lawyers with Markus representing Buju, Michael Donaldson representing Mack and Wayne Golding Sr representing Thomas.

Mack and Thomas appeared in court yesterday morning before Buju made his appearance at 1:30 in the afternoon.

source:

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100108/lead/lead6.html

1/8/2010

The 36-year-old singer, born Mark Myrie, did not seek bail.

"Mark is innocent," defense attorney David Markus said. "And the government's case has got no soul."

Because Banton is not a U.S. citizen, immigration authorities would have taken him into custody if he was to make bail, Markus said. Banton, a native of Jamaica, is in the United States on an entertainer's visa.

The reggae artist, known for his lively performances, appeared pensive during the hearing. His signature dreadlocks were pulled back in a braid and he wore a gray jail suit with red stripes.

The scene was a far cry from the revelry of Nov. 24 when Banton's manager called him at his Broward County home to deliver the news that his latest album, Rasta Got Soul, received a Grammy nomination.

The awards show will air Jan. 31. But these days Banton is busy talking legal defense instead of acceptance speech.

"We won't be cutting any deals. We are confident in our position that Mark Myrie is innocent," Markus said.

That could be a challenge to prove, considering the Drug Enforcement Administration says it has video and audio of Banton and his associates brokering a drug deal for more than five kilograms of cocaine in Sarasota.

The criminal complaint reads like a script from a Miami Vice episode.

On the morning of Dec. 8, a confidential source called Banton and agreed to meet him at a Sarasota restaurant to discuss a drug buy. Later that day, Banton and an associate, Ian Thomas, met with the source at La Tropicana de Havana restaurant in Sarasota.

After the meeting, the men traveled to an undercover warehouse controlled by Sarasota police. Once inside, Thomas cut open a kilo of cocaine with a knife and then handed the blade to Banton, who wiped the blade with his finger and tasted it, according to the complaint. The men discussed the price for the drugs before leaving the warehouse.

The incident was caught on audio and video, according to the complaint.

The rest of the report focuses on Thomas and another man, James Mack, negotiating for the drugs with the source and undercover agents. The men met at various locations over two days, including at an Applebee's restaurant where Thomas told the source his organization would pay $125,000 for 5 kilos of cocaine, the complaint states.

On Dec. 10, Thomas and Mack went to the undercover warehouse and presented a large sum of money for the drugs. The men were arrested on the spot. Banton was arrested at his Tamarac home later the same day.

News of the reggae artist's arrest sent shock waves throughout the entertainment world as well as Tampa Bay's Caribbean community. Banton was a frequent visitor to Tampa.

"Every customer that comes in is like, 'What about Buju?' " said DJ Kirky-C, a Tampa reggae DJ who owns the Poison Dart record store.

Banton often recorded at Kirky C's Nebraska Avenue studio.

"He's a Rasta and, except for a few, most of his songs preach love," Kirky C said. "I don't think he'd be involved in cocaine."

In 2004, Banton was charged with marijuana possession in Jamaica.

Banton's trial is expected to begin in March

Source:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/reggae-artist-buju-banton-pleads-not-guilty-to-drug-charges/1063800

1/6/2010

"We're ready to fight this thing - the government's case has got no soul," Marcus told The Gleaner yesterday in an obvious reference to Buju's recently released album, Rasta Got Soul.

Marcus was officially entered on Monday as the attorney

Buju, whose correct name is Mark Myrie, and two co-defendants, Ian Thomas and James Mack, were indicted late last year by a grand jury on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and one count of aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.

The three face the possibility of up to life in prison if found guilty on both counts.

But Marcus, who has appeared in several high-profile cases, remains unmoved as he rubbished the allegations against the dancehall star.

While withholding further comments, Marcus has started to prepare for the case, which should begin later this month.

The attorney has successfully defended several high-profile defendants and has a reputation in Florida as a first-rate legal mind.

Marcus' résumé

Marcus led the defence team in the February 2009 acquittal of Dr Ali Shaygan, who faced 141 counts of selling pain medication to boost his income.

The attorney was also the man in charge of the defence of Gilberto Rodriguez-Orejuela and Miguel Rodriguez-Orejuela, the alleged founders of the infamous Cali Cartel out of Colombia.

In the meantime, the court has outlined the rules of discovery to be used in Buju's trial.

These include giving the prosecutors a maximum of 14 days before the trial to name any unindicted co-conspirator, whose statements would be used against the three accused men, and until January 11 to state if any electronic surveillance was used in the case and whether any confidential informant was used.

The US Drug Enforcement Agency has already claimed that it has Buju on tape testing a substance believed to be cocaine, and that the alleged deal to sell the cocaine was arranged by a confidential informant.

Source:

12/28/2009

Jailed reggae star Buju Banton's managers have reportedly retained Miami lawyer David Oscar Markus, a rising star in the American justice system, to represent him.

Tracii McGregor, president of Banton's Gargamel Music Incorporated, is quoted as telling the CaribWorldNews.com website: "We're going to get him the top legal representation there is. We are ready to fight."

Last weekend, BET News

The singjay is best known for the 1995 album, Til Shiloh, and songs like Deportee, Untold Stories and Murderer. He is facing a lengthy prison term if convicted.

Among top 40 under 40

The 36-year-old Markus is a graduate of the Harvard Law School and has been involved in several high-profile cases. His success rate has earned him recognition from respected publications such as the National Law Review, which named him among the Top 40 Litigators Under 40 in the United States.

Since 2007, Markus has been cited as one of the US's leading criminal defence lawyers. Among his clients were Gilberto and Miguel Rodriquez-Orejuela, brothers and alleged founders of the infamous Cali Cartel which operated a multibillion-dollar cocaine trade in Colombia during the1970s and 1980s.

In February, he successfully represented Dr Ali Shaygan who was charged with 141 counts of illegally selling pain medication. Shaygan was acquitted of all charges, and he and his lawyers awarded damages of US$600,000.

Banton's arrest capped an eventful year for the Rastafarian performer whose given name is Mark Myrie. His highly anticipated Rasta Got Soul album was released in April.

A subsequent tour of the US to support the disc was curtailed by protests by gay groups which claimed that Banton's 1992 song, Boom Bye Bye, promotes violence against them.

This resulted in several of his shows in major cities being cancelled.

 Source:

12/22/2009

Could support in the Jamaican community in South Florida for jailed reggae star Buju Banton be waning?

Veteran Jamaican broadcaster Jamaican Winston Barnes, news director at the WAVS AM radio station in Fort Lauderdale, he said based on the tone of callers to his daily 'Open Mic' show, this may be the case.

"Last Monday (December 14) there was absolute support for him. Most people were saying, 'nuthin' cyaan go so'," Barnes explained. "But by Thursday it was like, 'him fool fi get himself suck in to something like this'."

Banton and two accomplices were arrested on December 10 in Tampa, Florida, by Drug Enforce-ment Administration (DEA) officers, for allegedly buying five kilograms (11 pounds) of cocaine from an agent.

At a court hearing on December 16, he was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute the drug. Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, has denied the charges. The 36-year-old is in custody at a Tampa jail and faces a lengthy prison term if convicted.

Barnes, who is a commissioner for the city of Miramar, said the issue has all but died on WAVS, a station with strong ties to South Florida's Caribbean community.

"As more info has come out on it, people have moved on. They are not as sympathetic," Barnes said. He added that little has been heard from reggae artistes who live in South Florida.

"I don't think they want to get into anything like that."

Gay conspiracy

Barnes said the initial response from many Jamaicans to Banton's arrest was that it was a 'gay conspiracy'. His Rasta Got Soul tour of the United States had been marred by protests from gay groups throughout the United States, who cited his 1992 anti-gay anthem Boom Bye Bye as the biggest source of their grouse.

Banton was one of the headliners for the Reggae Bash show in Miami in October. It was targeted by the Equality Florida group but the concert went on after the Florida chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union defended Banton's right to free speech.

South Florida is home to one of the largest Jamaican communities in the US. It has been a popular residence for reggae acts like Bob Marley since the 1970s.

Source:

12/22/2009
On Tuesday a federal grand jury in Tampa, Fl handed up an indictment against Buju Banton (Mark Anthony Myrie), James Mack and Ian Thomas with conspiring to possess and distribute five kilos of cocaine and possessing a firearm. The Tampa Tribune is also quoting Sarasota Police Lt. Wade McVay saying "the investigation is continuing and there may be more arrests." Sounds like somebody is talking.

Buju Banton's arrest has generated a firestorm of conspiracy theories in Jamaica and the Dancehall world.

12/22/2009

Federal Criminal Defence Lawyer, Frank A Rubino, who has tried hundreds of cases involving serious federal and international criminal offenses including the case against Panamanian General, Manuel Noriega is being recruited by the management for embattled reggae artiste, Buju Banton, a report on Internet website caribbeanworldnews.com states.

CaribWorldNews quotes president of Banton's Gargamel Music, Tracii McGregor, as saying that current attorney, Herbert Walker, III, was simply hired to represent Banton during his initial court appearance.

It is said that McGregor revealed that she has been meeting with several top criminal attorneys to take over the case. They include top criminal defence attorneys David Oscar Markus, who was named a 2009 Florida SuperLawyer for White Collar Criminal Defence Representation and was listed in the 2009 Chambers & Partners for White Collar Crime & Government Investigations and Frank Rubino.

"Walker has never really been our attorney," said McGregor in an exclusive interview with CaribWorldNews. "This is Buju and we're going to get him the top legal representation there is. We are ready to fight."

In the interview on Friday, McGregor, it is reported, insisted the singer, born Mark Anthony Myrie, was "innocent" and that the label would pursue the best legal team to prove this.

So far the deejay has not been transferred to Tampa, since waiving his right to a bail hearing Wednesday in preference for a Tampa trial.

"A clearly emotional McGregor revealed that she was in New York last Thursday afternoon, when she got the 'shocking' call of Banton's arrest," the website report stated.

It said that McGregor had been in Florida for the past few weeks preparing for the move of the label officially to the Sunshine State.

McGregor also revealed the label will soon release a new video on the four-time Grammy Award-winning singer's new song, Optimistic Soul, from his new album, Rasta Got Soul.

Banton, along with Ian Thomas and James Jackson Mack, was indicted on December 15. The federal indictment claims that the trio "knowingly and willing fully conspired with each other and with others to possess with intent to distribute five kilogrammes or more of a substance containing a delectable amount of cocaine".

If convicted, he faces 20 to life on the charge while all property deemed to have been gained from drug distribution could be forfeited.

 Source:

12/20/2009

"IF IT was ganja, we would understand," said 58-year-old Daphne King from her gate at 47 Whitehall Avenue, Kingston 8, next door to the premises where embattled reggae artiste Buju Banton is said to have spent many of his childhood days.

King, along with her neighbours Violet Tyson and Natalie Mertell, had stepped outside the gate when The Sunday Gleaner visited the Kingston 8 community last Thursday to get the views of those close to the 36-year-old who has spent the last 11 days in a Florida lockup.

It was the same day that Buju, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was formally indicted on a charge of conspiracy to possess, with intent to distribute, more than five kilograms of cocaine. He is also charged with carrying a firearm during the course of a drug-trafficking crime. The deejay has vehemently denied the charges.

"I know him very well. I never hear of him involved in anything of the sort," King continued. "I don't know how him manage to get caught up in that."

"That is not Mark," said Kenisha Willis, a janitor at Buju's Gargamel Music Studios at 10 Carlisle Avenue in St Andrew.

wrong side of the law

But it is not the first time the Driver A singer has found himself on the wrong side of the law. Myrie was found guilty in March 2004 of possession and cultivating ganja after police raided his premises and seized five fully grown ganja plants. He was convicted and fined $9,000 or 60 days in prison. His legal team appealed the verdict but the conviction was recorded on his file and caused United States officials to place restrictions on his movements within that country.

His friends and well-wishers, however, refuse to believe that the toaster who accepted Haile Selassie as his saviour in the mid 1990s could in any way be 'mixed up' with cocaine.

A man who identified himself only as 'G' and who is said to have been in constant touch with the deejay since his incarceration, joined the ranks of the conspiracy theorists who believe Myrie was set up by gay and lesbian lobby groups

"Is a set-up that. We know seh DJ nuh deal inna dem tings deh," he said from the music studios.

"People wit dem own agenda (set him up)."

Natalie Mertell, 32, of Whitehall Avenue, was more direct in her speculation, claiming that gay men and lesbians "set him up", when she learned of the Drug Enforcement Administration's claim of having captured the deejay on video and audio recordings.

King also admitted that she had no prior knowledge of the video recordings, but still insisted on his innocence, saying, "He's not gonna be convicted."

Banton, who had earlier rounded up his tour of the US promoting his latest album, Rasta Got Soul, had again been at loggerheads with the homosexual community in the United States.

Website towleroad.com reported that "numerous dates on Banton's recent tour were cancelled after protest over the singer's anti-gay lyrics". Though Banton had sat down with gay activists from San Francisco in October, he seemed to have reverted to his militant views, stating afterwards that "This is a fight, and as I said in one of my songs, 'there is no end to the war between me and faggot', and it's clear. The same night after I met with them (gay associates), they pepper-sprayed the concert. So what are you trying to tell me? I owe dem nothing, they don't owe I nothing."

This statement reignited a fire that had burned since 1992 when the brash 19-year-old released Boom Bye Bye, an anti-gay anthem which promoted violence and death to homosexuals.

It is said that vigorous protest had forced a reimaging with the deejay re-emerging with a new look and sound. His Til Shiloh album in 1995 became a breakout hit and had positioned him as heir apparent to Bob Marley.

He followed up with albums such as 1997's Inna Heights and Unchained Spirit in 2000. But it was this year's Rasta Got Soul which would earn him the Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album from the Recording Industry Association of America.

Though some believe his arrest will have no effect on whether he wins, there are those who aren't so sure.

For G, his conviction "nuh have nutten fi do wid music".

"If it was for morals and character, a lot of people who win Grammy wouldn't," he said. "It's no problem."

But Mertell was of a different view. "I don't think him a go win."

King believed that with a local incarceration, he would still be in the running for the golden gramophone. "If a did out here it happen, he would have a chance."

No Christmas treat

But even more than the potential loss of a Grammy award was the absence of the annual Christmas treat put on by the artiste for children in the Whitehall community.

They say every Christmas he would treat the children to toys and goodies on the lawns of Victoria Court, but as he battles for his freedom this year, there will be none.

"We will certainly miss him," said King.

"Him is so nice," Tyson continued. "Him nuh mix up and if he can help in any way, he will," she said of the community benefactor.

The community continued to express faith in his innocence.

"He is not guilty of that crime and, by the help of God, he will be free," said Dionne Williamson, Buju's 'sister in spirit'.

"We are not giving up. Tell fans to keep the faith and don't give up cuz it's a big set-up and rumour, and he's coming home," she encouraged.

"Him nuh guilty so him mus get off. Up to now him don't commit a crime. DJ nah have nutten fi do wit dis," G reiterated.

Source:

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20091220/news/news5.html

12/18/2009

CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Dec. 18, 2009: President of Buju Banton`s record label, Tracii McGregor, is urging the world to remember that the `Rasta Got Soul` singer is `innocent until proven guilty.`

In an exclusive interview with CaribWorldNews Friday, McGregor, the head of Buju`s Gargamel Music, Inc., warned against a rush to judgment.

She insisted the singer, born Mark Anthony Myrie, is `innocent` and that the label will pursue the best legal team to prove this.

`It`s on an poppin,` said McGregor, revealing that she has been meeting with several top criminal attorneys to take over the case. They include top criminal defense attorneys David Oscar Markus, who was named a 2009 Florida SuperLawyer for White Collar Criminal Defense Representation and was listed in the 2009 Chambers & Partners for White Collar Crime & Government Investigations and Frank Rubino, who has tried hundreds of cases involving serious federal and international criminal offenses including the case against Panamanian General, Manuel Noriega.

She also disclosed that current attorney, Herbert Walker, III, was simply hired to represent Banton during his initial court appearance and the label has made no decision on whom the trial attorney will be.

`Walker has never really been our attorney,` said McGregor. `This is Buju and we`re going to get him the top legal representation there is. We are ready to fight.`

As for Banton, McGregor told CWNN that the singer is `holding firm` even though it is `a difficult situation.`

`I saw him yesterday,` said McGregor of Banton and told him to `go inward and preserve yourself.`
Banton she said has also focused on helping other inmates, especially Jamaicans at the Miami federal prison, who have no legal representation. So far the singer has not been transferred to Tampa, since waiving his right to a bail hearing Wednesday in preference for a Tampa trial.

A clearly emotional McGregor revealed that she was in New York last Thursday afternoon, when she got the `shocking` calling of Banton`s arrest.

`I was stunned,` said McGregor, who had been actively in Florida for the past few weeks preparing for the move of the label officially to the Sunshine State.

But she says the focus now is on staging the best legal defense and rallying the fans to stand by the reggae singer, whose songs like `Out Father In Zion,` `Hills and Valleys,` `Give I Strength,` and `Cry No More` has made him an household name among fans of conscious reggae.

McGregor also revealed the label will soon release a new video on the four-time Grammy Award-winning singer`s new song, `Optimistic Soul,` from his new album, `Rasta Got soul.`

Banton was arrested on Dec. 10th in Florida. He was indicted on December 15th. The federal indictment claims that Myrie, along with Ian Thomas and James Jackson Mack, `knowingly and willing fully conspired with each other and with others to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a substance containing a delectable amount of cocaine.`

If convicted, he faces 20 to life on the charge while all property deemed to have been gained from drug distribution could be forfeited.

12/18/2009

2009: Today marks the eighth day since the arrest of controversial reggae singer, Buju Banton. But so far, his record label has maintained its silence, issuing no statements nor responding to no media queries.

A CWNN request for comment to Banton’s Gargamel Music label’s GM, Tracii McGregor, has so far gone unanswered even as many continue to question the sense in such silence.

On the label’s website, Banton’s `A Little Bit of Sorry,` continued to play on but there was also no mention of the now famous arrest, which has been flashed around the world many times over.

Instead, the last release out of the label was issued on Nov. 27th as they announced that Banton would be signing copies of his new `Rasta Got Soul` album in Brooklyn on Dec. 2.

Banton and his Shiloh Band were also set to play two dates in the New York area: December 8th at Amazura in Queens and December 9th at the St. George Theater in Staten Island.

Banton, born Mark Anthony Myrie, was arrested on Dec. 10th in Florida. He was indicted on December 15th. The federal indictment claims that Myrie, along with Ian Thomas and James Jackson Mack, `knowingly and willing fully conspired with each other and with others to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a substance containing a delectable amount of cocaine.`

If convicted, he faces 20 to life on the charge while all property deemed to have been gained from drug distribution could be forfeited. Banton has proclaimed his innocence and on Wednesday waived his right to a bail hearing in Miami, choosing instead to be transferred to Tampa for a trial.

 Source:

http://www.caribbeanworldnews.com/middle_top_news_detail.php?mid=2902

12/17/2009
SARASOTA - The silver Land Rover pulled up to La Tropicana de Havana restaurant on Fruitville Road at 1:30 p.m. The license plate read "JAH ONE" and behind the wheel was Buju Banton, a 36-year-old reggae singer from Jamaica.

Banton and two others walked into the restaurant, and into a trap set by undercover law enforcement officials who say that the reggae star and his associates were in Sarasota last week to score 20 kilograms of cocaine.

According to documents filed in federal court, the investigation began a week ago when a confidential informant, known on the street as a "snitch," called DEA agents to say that Banton was looking to score as much as 20 kilograms of cocaine.

According to the criminal complaint, the deal went down like this:

On Tuesday morning, Dec. 8, Banton and two others -- an associate identified as Ian Thomas, and an unidentified woman -- pulled up to the La Tropicana de Havana, in the 5900 block of Fruitville Road, to meet with the informant.

Listening on an audio wire, agents and Sarasota officers heard the informant tell Banton that the negotiations should be moved to another location.

At 2:30 p.m., Banton, Thomas and the informant went to a secret warehouse used by Sarasota detectives to do undercover drug deals. Inside, they met with Sarasota Police Sgt. Ken Castro, who was working undercover that day.

Castro showed Banton and Thomas a vehicle that contained secret compartments. Inside the compartments were 20 kilograms of cocaine.

Thomas used a knife to cut open one of the bags, dipping the blade into the drugs and handing it to Banton. Banton wiped his finger on the knife and tasted the cocaine to make sure it was good.

At 3 p.m., they left the warehouse.

Banton reportedly returned to Miami.

The next day, Thomas called the informant and told him to meet at an Applebee's restaurant in the afternoon.

The criminal complaint does not say which Applebee's was involved. DEA and police officials would not comment on the exact location.

That afternoon, Thomas negotiated with the informant to buy five kilograms at first. If the transaction went smoothly, they would buy as much as 20 kilograms.

The arranged to meet the following day at a Perkin's restaurant in Sarasota, where Thomas and another man -- identified as James Mack -- arrived in a BMW and a Honda sedan.

The group returned to the warehouse and again met with Castro. Thomas reached into a hidden compartment in the Honda and pulled out plastic bags containing cash.

Castro examined the money and gave the cocaine to Mack and Thomas. When Mack cut into the cocaine to taste it, Castro gave a signal for agents to swoop in and make the arrests.

12/17/2009
On Wednesday (16Dec09), U.S. Magistrate Judge William Turnoff issued BUJU BANTON with a temporary order of detention, explaining Banton will be prosecuted in Tampa, where he will be transferred to another facility.
After the hearing, BUJU's attorney Herbert E. Walker III explained, "He believes that because the indictment was filed out of Tampa, that's where the case should be defended." Walker also told The Jamaican Gleaner that, "based on the nature of the allegations and the quantity of cocaine involved, Buju, whose correct name is Mark Myrie, and his two co-accused would face federal charges." He has vowed to work night and day to clear his client, who has said he is "absolutely innocent of each of the allegations that the (United States) government has made".


Buju has "vigorously denied" the charges, which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

 Source:

12/17/2009

CaribWorldNews, MIAMI, FL, Thurs. Dec. 17, 2009: `Rasta Got Soul` singer, Buju Banton, is confident he will be exonerated.

That`s the word from Banton`s attorney, Herbert Erving Walker, III, a licensed practicing Florida attorney for over a decade. Walker`s comments come as the singer yesterday waived a bail hearing and agreed to be transferred from Miami to Tampa to federal drug charges.

`He`s confident he`s going to be exonerated,` said Walker, III. `He`s a very spiritual person. He`s a very positive person.`

Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, appeared in court in a beige jail jumpsuit yesterday, his signature dreads pulled off his face. The 36-year-old sat expressionless speaking only to confirm his real name, age and the fact that was indeed waiving his bail hearing in Miami to be transferred to Tampa.

The four-time Grammy nominee is accused along with two others of allegedly attempting to buy more than five kilograms of cocaine from an undercover law enforcement officer in Sarasota last week.

Banton was arrested Thursday at his home in Tamarac. The charges carry a maximum sentence of over 20 years in prison.

Meanwhile, Banton`s loyal fans continued to support him on social networking site Facebook, with many insisting it is a set up and urging all to remember that the singer is `innocent until proven guilty.` This as his label, Gargamel music continued to stay silent on the accusation.

Source

http://www.caribbeanworldnews.com/middle_top_news_detail.php?mid=2899

12/16/2009

12/15/2009