Florida

Buju Banton Goes to Court (Again).

Once again Buju has "him blacker" attorney David O. Markus at his side, as well as a Grammy that Banton won last night for Best Reggae Album.

I recognize that prosecutors can do this, but a better question is why --

The five-time Grammy nominated artiste, whose real name is Mark Myrie, had originally been tried on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking offence.

He will now be tried for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drugtrafficking offence; and using the wires to facilitate a drug trafficking offence.

If convicted, Buju faces up to 20 years? imprisonment.

The new indictment was secured last November by Prosecutor James Preston in an effort to secure a conviction against the Jamaican artiste, whose legal team is claiming that he had been entrapped by the US Government.

Also, what may weigh on the artiste?s mind when he steps inside the number 13 courtroom on the towering building may be the federal government?s impressive conviction rate of above 90 per cent ? and its penchant for winning retrials by multiplying charges.

Full post as published by South Florida Lawyers on February 14, 2011 (boomark / email).