The Werlboss Has Beaten The First Case—One More To Go
Vybz Kartel is one step closer to being set free on themurder charges. Days after deliberating in Jamaica’s Home Circuit Court, Judge Bryan Sykes has denied the motion to review statements from two witnesses. Since the trial began, reports have surfaced that the prosecution’s arguments have been weak and Judge Sykes has stated that not enough action was taken to locate other witnesses. Details After The Jump… (more…)
Could The Banton Be On His Way To A New Trial?
In the latest crazy plot twist surrounding The Banton’s federal trial, Terri Wright, a juror who was part of the original trial has turned over her personal computer for investigation. After the trials proceedings concluded in February of 2010, Wright admitted to Florida-based media outlets that she researched Buju Banton and his music while serving jury duty. This fault could grant Buju and his legal team the mistrial they’re looking for. Find Out Why After The Jump…
How Is This Trial Not A Mistrial?
But The Werlboss Vows He Won’t Let The System Break Him
The wait is still not over. After being ordered to wait until the new year to commence his trial, The Werlboss now faces another setback. We’re starting to get the feeling that the court is not in any hurry to see this trial go forward. On Monday, officials at Kingston’s Home Circuit Court placed another postponement on Vybz Kartel’s trial date—the second one put into effect since last November. The reasons for yet another delay? “Insufficient jurors.” But Kartel isn’t letting the politricks get to him. Read More After the Jump (more…)
The Banton’s New Attorney, Chokwe Lumumba, Describes Buju as a “Political Prisoner”
The road for reggae star Buju Banton has not been easy since he began serving a 10-year bid on federal drug trafficking and conspiracy charges. Incarcerated in a Florida prison, Banton maintains his innocence and is resiliently working on getting a new trial as he now gears up to fight a gun possession charge that was previously dismissed in his 2011 sentencing. After severing ties with lawyer David Oscar Markus in late August, Banton hired veteran attorney Chokwe Lumumba to represent him in his legal battles. Lumumba, who previously worked on the cases of activist Assata Shakur as well as Tupac Shakur, hosted a press conference in Washington D.C. to engage with Buju’s fans and supporters and bring them up to date about where the case stands. Photos and More After the Jump…
The Banton Faces Resentencing Later This Month—But Will Justice Be Served?
The Broward/Palm Beach New Times is reporting that at least four of the jurors who served on Buju Banton’s drug case would have found him not guilty of gun charges. Chris Sweeney’s latest blog post is a must-read: “Terri Wright has been called to serve jury duty seven times,” Sweeney writes. “But none of the cases compares to the federal drug and gun trial of reggae singer Buju Banton. That one “took the cake,” as she puts it. She still talks to coworkers about the murky back story of the federal snitch, Alex Johnson, and says she couldn’t sleep at night when deliberating.” The Half That’s Never Been Told After The Jump… (more…)
Buju Banton Thanks Tearful Fans As His Attorneys Plan Appeal
Just a week after celebrating his Grammy win for Best Reggae Album, Buju Banton was convicted today by a 12-person jury in a Federal Court in Tampa, Florida. After deliberating last Friday and again today for a total of eleven hours, the jurors found Buju—born Mark Myrie—guilty of conspiracy to possess five or more kilos of cocaine, of using a telephone to facilitate drug-trafficking, and of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug dealing offense. Buju was found not guilty of possession with intent to distribute cocaine—and in fact, he never did possess the drugs in question. But then again, he didn’t possess a gun either. (more…)