Do You Think Buju Got a Fair Trial??? For the past couple months the talk of the town has been about Buju Bantan's case. ONE HUNDRED and forty-eight days after a panel of jurors failed to reach a verdict on whether Buju Banton was innocent or guilty of cocaine-related charges last September, a new panel that listened to the case against the reggae superstar has found him guilty. The jury, which included three African-American women, yesterday returned a guilty verdict for three of the four charges brought against the Grammy-winning artiste, whose real name is Mark Myrie. The iconic Jamaican artiste, whose sentencing hearing date has not yet been determined, will now face 15 years to life behind bars. Buju has been found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilogramsor more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, knowingly and intentionally possessing a firearm in furtherance of and during the course of a drug-trafficking crime, and aiding and abetting others in using a communication facility in the commission of a felony. The jury, however, returned a not-guilty verdict for attempting to possess five kilograms or more of cocaine. 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 still unbowed. I love you all, thank you for your support. -- Buju's statement to supporters, read by his attorney, David Oscar Markus. |