Buju gets 10 year bid.

 Buju, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was sentenced this morning by US District Judge James Moody, four months after being convicted of conspiracy to set up a cocaine deal

FLORIDA, United States,  – Reggae superstar Buju Banton will spend the next 10 years behind bars in the US-state of Florida, , followed by five years of probation.

Buju, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was sentenced this morning by US District Judge James Moody, four months after being convicted of conspiracy to set up a cocaine deal in 2009. He was facing up to 15 years in prison.

'Please spare our dad' — Buju's kids appeal to judge

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Please, spare our dad.' This is the emotional plea from four of the 15 children of Grammy Award-winning artiste Buju Banton to Judge Jim Moody ahead of the reggae artiste's sentencing on gun and drug-related charges on June 23 in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa Florida.

The siblings' letters for mercy form part of a document filed last week by Banton's legal team seeking a reduced sentence for the Jamaican artiste, who is facing 15 years to life behind bars. The letters are also among others penned by the likes of renowned actor Danny Glover, NBA player Etan Thomas, Vibe Magazine editor-at-large Rob Kenner and reggae artiste Stephen Marley.

Buju seeks mercy - Entertainer wants shorter sentence

JAMAICAN Grammy Award-winning reggae artiste Buju Banton wants the court to impose a prison term below the mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years at his sentencing hearing later this month.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23 in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa, Florida, United States. The artiste was convicted in February on charges of conspiracy to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence.

Attorney: Buju appeal likely to fail

After the 12-member jury, by virtue of the verdict, threw out Buju’s defence yesterday, the singer remained composed.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, – A Miami-based lawyer who said he advised Buju Banton to take a plea deal soon after his arrest on cocaine charges in 2009, says it’s unlikely that the singer will succeed in an appeal against his conviction.
Professor David Rowe, in an interview on Radio Jamaica yesterday evening, suggested that Buju should have thrown in the towel a long time ago because of the evidence that had been gathered against him.
The lawyer’s comments came after the 37-year-old singer was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 11 pounds of cocaine; attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; and using a communication facility to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence. The jurors, who returned with their decision on day two of deliberations, found him not guilty of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence.

Buju seeking acquittal or new trial

Buju Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was found guilty last Tuesday of three of four charges. FLORIDA, United States,  – The attorney for reggae singer Buju Banton is seeking either acquittal or a new trial for his client.

In the motion filed in the US District Court, David Oscar Marcus made the request based what he argued was the absence of enough credible evidence to prove the prosecution’s allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, in last month’s trial.

Buju, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was found guilty last Tuesday of three of four charges – conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; and using a communication facility to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence. The 12-member jury returned a not guilty verdict on a fourth charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence.

Buju Bye, Bye!!

TAMPA — Grammy-winning reggae singer Buju Banton today was convicted of conspiring to set up a cocaine deal in Florida two years ago.

A federal jury returned their verdict after deliberating for 11 hours over two days on the fate of Banton, who won a Grammy last week for best reggae album for his work entitled "Before the Dawn." He was found guilty of three of the four charges he faced.
The 37-year-old Banton remains wildly popular in his native Jamaica, and his trial was packed with supporters that included other well-known reggae artists

The singer, whose given name is Mark Myrie, was on trial on accusations that he conspired with two other men in setting up a drug deal in December of 2009.  Prosecutors argued during trial that Banton portrayed himself as a broker of drug deals in several conversations with a confidential informant. Defense attorneys countered that he was simply a "big talker" trying to impress the informant, but that he wasn't involved in any drug deal.
Banton was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense an
d using the wires to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. He was acquitted of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine
Much of the case hinged on meetings and phone calls that were video and audiotaped by the

Buju Banton Wins 2011 Grammy for Best Reggae Album

Buju Banton has continued his success in 2011.  Banton earned his first Grammy Award with his album "Before The Dawn".  Banton is currently out on bail and facing prison time on drug charges.  Banton's first trial in December 2010 ended in a hung jury. His re-trial beging Februrary 14 the day after the Grammy Award Show. One can only wonder if Banton will be able to celebrate his award victory.

NOMINEES FOR BEST REGGAE ALBUM 2011:

Before The Dawn

Buju Banton

[Gargamel Music, Inc.]

Isaacs Meets Isaac

Gregory Isaacs & King Isaac

[King Isaac Music]

Revelation

Lee "Scratch" Perry

[Megawave Records]

Made In Jamaica

Bob Sinclar And Sly & Robbie

[Yellow Productions/Universal Music France]

One Pop Reggae +

Sly & Robbie And The Family Taxi

[Phase One Communications/Taxi Records]

Legacy: An Acoustic Tribute To Peter Tosh

Andrew Tosh

BEING BUJU BANTON