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Buju Banton's lawyer pleads for mercy
2011-02-14 14:52:43 | (2 Comments)
Buju Banton- file photo
Daraine, Luton Senior Staff Reporter in Tampa, Florida.
David Oscar Markus has urged the jury, which is now hearing the drug conspiracy case involving Jamaican reggae superstar Buju Banton, to spare him from the perils of prison as he is not guilty of the crimes for which he has been accused.
"Last night was the highest point in his professional career," Markus said, before prosecutor Jim Preston moved an objection which was sustained
He was referring to Buju's triump at the Grammy Awards last night.
He even told the jury that Buju has had more number ones than another Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley.
"This week is the most important week of his life, for him and for his family," Markus said.
He also told the jury that Buju was set up by Alexander Johnson who he described as a mastermind con artist.
"This is a case about a con artist trying to set up a recording artiste," Markus said.
Meanwhile, Jim Preston, prosecutor has told the jury that the government would be proving its case beyond all reasonable doubt.
He has asked them to pay "careful attention and (for) application of your common sense".
Buju, 38, whose real name is Mark Myrie, has been accused of conspiring with two associates to buy a shipment of cocaine from an undercover officer. The reggae superstar has claimed he was entrapped by a confidential informant.
Buju is facing charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm during the course of a drug trafficking crime, attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a communication facility in the commission of an act constituting a felony.
Buju was arrested in December 2009. During a trial five months ago, evidence was presented to the court showing him tasting a substance purporting to be cocaine in a Florida warehouse.
The court was also furnished with transcripts of conversations between Buju, informant Alexander Johnson and at least two other persons in which drug deals were being discussed.
The Jamaican superstar told the court he was only trying to impress the man, who claimed to have music industry connections.
"I talk too much, but I am not a drug dealer," Banton said on the stand,” during the first trial.
Today judge Moodie told the eight women and four men who make up the jury as well as the two reserves they have a responsibility to be ethical and that the standard for conviction is "guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, not guilt beyond possible doubt".
He also cautioned that the "indictment brought against the defendant is an accusation and nothing more".
"It is not proof of guilt," thee judge says.
2011-02-14 14:52:43 | (2 Comments)
Buju Banton- file photo
Daraine, Luton Senior Staff Reporter in Tampa, Florida.
David Oscar Markus has urged the jury, which is now hearing the drug conspiracy case involving Jamaican reggae superstar Buju Banton, to spare him from the perils of prison as he is not guilty of the crimes for which he has been accused.
"Last night was the highest point in his professional career," Markus said, before prosecutor Jim Preston moved an objection which was sustained
He was referring to Buju's triump at the Grammy Awards last night.
He even told the jury that Buju has had more number ones than another Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley.
"This week is the most important week of his life, for him and for his family," Markus said.
He also told the jury that Buju was set up by Alexander Johnson who he described as a mastermind con artist.
"This is a case about a con artist trying to set up a recording artiste," Markus said.
Meanwhile, Jim Preston, prosecutor has told the jury that the government would be proving its case beyond all reasonable doubt.
He has asked them to pay "careful attention and (for) application of your common sense".
Buju, 38, whose real name is Mark Myrie, has been accused of conspiring with two associates to buy a shipment of cocaine from an undercover officer. The reggae superstar has claimed he was entrapped by a confidential informant.
Buju is facing charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm during the course of a drug trafficking crime, attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a communication facility in the commission of an act constituting a felony.
Buju was arrested in December 2009. During a trial five months ago, evidence was presented to the court showing him tasting a substance purporting to be cocaine in a Florida warehouse.
The court was also furnished with transcripts of conversations between Buju, informant Alexander Johnson and at least two other persons in which drug deals were being discussed.
The Jamaican superstar told the court he was only trying to impress the man, who claimed to have music industry connections.
"I talk too much, but I am not a drug dealer," Banton said on the stand,” during the first trial.
Today judge Moodie told the eight women and four men who make up the jury as well as the two reserves they have a responsibility to be ethical and that the standard for conviction is "guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, not guilt beyond possible doubt".
He also cautioned that the "indictment brought against the defendant is an accusation and nothing more".
"It is not proof of guilt," thee judge says.