Perceptions on Buju's woes changing ..... so it seems

Irie FM Reports

BUJU'S CODEFENDANT MAY TESTIFY AGAINST HIM

A codefendant of Buju Banton has agreed to cooperate with the US government as part of a plea deal in his drug case.

Buju, a four-time Grammy nominee, is set to stand trial Sept. 20 along with another codefendant, James Mack, on charges they participated in a cocaine deal in Sarasota.

The third codefendant, Ian Thomas, will plead guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilos or more of cocaine, according to an agreement filed today. The charge carries up to life in federal prison.

Eight days after the scheduled start of the trial, Buju Banton's record company is set to release his ninth studio album, "Before the Dawn," in the United States.

Buju has been held without bail since his arrest on charges of conspiring to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting his codefendants in possessing a firearm during the course of the cocaine distribution.

ENDS

Notes:

Judging by this story appearing on Irie FM's entertainment Buzz page and the subsequent comments some of which are caustic towards the gay community while others question the validity of the witness while others still including mine question the evidence of the footage the Drug Administration has of the gentleman allegedly tasting the stuff.

here are excerpts of some of the comments follow the links embedded to see the full entry on IRIE FM's website.

Comment Excerpts:

Ras Morgan Sep 10 10
1. Hello from Tampa. For the full story you need to check out Tampa Bay On line by going to yahoo and typing Buju Banton news. People, Buju will be fine. "The other codefendant Mack has signed an affidavit on behalf of the singer. Mack, 48, says in the affidavit that he never met Banton before his arrest, and that Banton had no knowledge of the money and gun that were in Mack's car." Jah Bless Buju Banton. He has NUFF SUPPORT in Tampa!
Fans In Tampa Sep 10 10
2. Yeah, me just check out yahoo Buju Banton News. Is a whole setup ting. The informant is a criminal. Him fi go a jail .Not Buju
Jamaica Sep 10 10
3. Me just on Line. But why Irie FM did not tell us that part also. The other co-defendant signed a document stating he does not know Buju and Buju never know nothing about the gun and the money in the car. We Love You Buju.
Ruth In London Sep 10 10
4. Dem tink we ain't go check out the news fi we self.! Big up Buju Banton
Marlon In St. Vincent Sep 10 10
5. Buju will be Free! This year!
Caribbean Voices Sep 10 10
6. Thanks for giving us the full story fans in Tampa. Is a real setup. Jah not sleeping. Buju will be free. Is a good think Mack signed and tell the truth that he never met Buju beofre and Buju never know nothinhg about moneny and gun in the car.

1. Oh pls! I am one of Banton's num 1 fan but me no put up with slackness. Instead look at the facts. Who was caught buying the coke on camera? And I can't say allegedly bec he was indeed there. If Buju the defendant had no knowledge as to why he was there, then why not just leave di
Passion Sep 11 10
2. all when them caught Buju and unu see it with unu own 2 yeye unu still in a denial. I don't know bout unu but me no do coke me no taste coke n I have no dealings with coke head why was he there! The feds don't arrest ppl without probable cause. So a who deh pon d video a taste coke? This is not a tort this is a federal offence. Buju rasss lucky than me a greedy him rass greedy when him left Lorna poor girl have to carry him go court to get a dime n see it a she one stand up with him now. He is a selfish asshole n i can chat bec me know him personally. Ask why Wayne wonder lef him okut? Unu stay deh a waste time pon Buju. Most of these DJ's unu see a live big a no just music alone. Grow up pp;!
Passion Sep 11 10
3. 2sides on every story...JAH fe free Imon artist !!!
Wicked1 Sep 11 10
4. Passion shut your ass!! Buju was not present on the day they were buying the coke. The police went to his home 500miles away from Tapma in Tamarac Miami to arrest him. By the way. How you so sure it was him on camera the days before. You aint no fan you are a fake!
Radical In Japan Sep 11 10
5. Dah woman love fi yap her mouth!! Is the two other fellas who went buying coke and as James Mack swear buy in the affidavait Buju know nothing about money to buy coke and gun. So how can he be in any conspiracy>!!!
Haitians In Miami Sep 11 10
6. Buju will win!!!!!!!!!!
Haitians In Miami Sep 11 10
7. Happy New Year from Ethiopia. We prayed for Buju and we thank God that he will very soon be free. Look at that he know nothing about money or gun to buy drugs, we also do not believe in that so called video. The enemy is a dirty crimeinal who will end up in jail.

Blessings From Israel Sep 11 10
1. PASSION, YOU ARE SO RIGHT, BUJU IS A SELFISH FUCK, WHO ONLY LOOK OUT FOR HIMSELF, AS WE SPEAK HE IS SNITICHING ABOUT ALL THE JAMAICAN PEOPLE HE CAN NAME TO INCLUDE THE ARTIST THEM, NUFF PEOPLE LOST THEM U.S VISAS SINCE BUJU WAS ARRESTED,NO ONE QUESTION THAT. BEENIEMAN AND THE REST OF THE TOP JAMAICAN ENTERTAINERS, KNOWS WHO IS TELLING THE BUSINESS TO THE U.S GOVERNMENT....ITS BUJU, WHO IS TRYING TO SAVE IS SORRY ASS FROM BEEN LOCK AWAY FOR UPTEEN YEARS. ..RAST DONT TASTE COCAIN, RASTA ONLY SMOKE WEED..AKA GANJA, RASTA IS NOT CAUGHT ON VIDEO BY THE D.E.A. WITH FIVE KILO OF COCAINE IN THEIR POSSESION. BUJU IS A FREAKING COKE HEAD WHO WAS LIVING THE HIG LIFE AND WHO LIKE ANYONE ELSE WHO BRAK THE LAW SHOULD BE PUNISH. NOT FOR HIS HATRED OF GAY PEOPLE, BUT FOR HIS CRIMES, WHICH AT THE MOMENT IS COCAINE, POSSION. SEND HIS ASS OFF THE FEDERAL PRISON WHERE HE BELONG. THE NORMAL PERSON WOULD HAVE NTO GOTTEN SO MUCH ATTENTION. BUJU IS A COKE HEAD SIMPLE AS THAT.

CONTINUE HERE FOR MORE COMMENTS:

As the trial date approaches let us watch this one carefully. My views is that the gay community could never have been involved in any setup after so many years towards Mr. Myrie, it just sounds preposterous. After all the Drug Enforcement Agency nuh tek chat from Minority groups especially LGBT activists or their allies.

In a radio interview this morning on Nationwide radio Mr. Myrie's lead attorney David Oscar Marcus said he is getting ready for the Monday September 20th trial date which should last just over a week, when questioned about the alleged video footage of Buju tasting the substance he said he saw the tape but Buju was not there when the deal ended suggesting that he was not guilty of conspiracy. Emily Crooks lead interviewer on the program and who is presently studying law followed up with Mr. Marcus by asking if one has to be present to the end in any conspiracy deal Mr. Marcus hesitated and repeated that Buju Banton was not present at the end of the deal as he was at his Miami home.

As to Buju's health he said he was thinner than usual as he has not been able to follow his diet.

UPDATE: 5:46pm (Jamaica Observer)

Second Buju co-defendant to testify against him

JAMES Mack, the second co-defendant in the case against Reggae singer Buju Banton, today agreed to assist the United States Government in seeking a conviction against him. Mack affixed his signature to a 17-page plea agreement between himself, his attorney, Mary Mills and United States District Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Brian Albritton.

Mack pled guilty to conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense."Defendant agrees to fully cooperate with the United States in the investigation and prosecution of other persons, and to testify, subject to a prosecution for perjury or making a false statement, fully and truthfully before any federal court proceeding or federal grand jury in connection with the charges in this case," the plea agreement states.

The drug charge carries a mandatory minimum term of 20 years to life and a fine of up to US$4 million, while the firearm charge five years to life and a fine of up to US$250,000.

The agreement stated that Mack, Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie and Ian Thomas negotiated the sale of cocaine with an informant.

In December last year, Mack and Thomas drove to an undercover warehouse in Saratoga, Florida and attempted to purchase seven kilograms of cocaine with US$135,810 before they were arrested by undercover agents. A search of a Honda motorcar Mack was travelling in turned up an illegal handgun. Last week Thomas signed a similar plea deal.

UPDATE: Sept 16th Jamaica Observer

'Buju' stands alone

Second co-defendant signs plea bargain deal to testify against J’can reggae artiste

'BUJU Banton' is facing further woes after James Mack, the second co-defendant in the drug case against him yesterday signed a plea bargain deal with the United States District Attorney, agreeing to testify against the Jamaican reggae singer.

Mack's deal comes five days after another co-defendant, Ian Thomas, also agreed to give evidence against the four-time Grammy nominee whose correct name is Mark Myrie.

Peace and tolerance.

H