TAMPA, USA — Jurors will today begin their second day of deliberations to determine the fate of reggae star Buju Banton who, since last week, has been on trial for gun and drug-related offences.
The 12-member jury on Friday broke off deliberations after spending nine hours sifting through the evidence presented in the case, which started last Monday.
Banton's first trial, which ended with a hung jury last year September, saw jurors deliberating for three days without being able to reach a verdict.
Meanwhile, friends of the artiste said that he is worried but is trying to remain positive. Supporters and friends have been praying for jurors to return a not-guilty verdict.
Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, has been on trial in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa on charges of 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 drug-trafficking offence and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence.
If convicted, the Grammy-winning artiste could face up to 20 years behind bars.
Banton was arrested on December 10, 2009, hours after two men — Ian Thomas and James Mack — were busted in an undercover warehouse where they had gone to purchase cocaine. US$135,000 was seized and the gun for which Banton is charged was found in Mack's car. Both men had pleaded guilty and are yet to be sentenced.
The operation was set in train in July of 2009 as a result of Banton's bragging to US government informant Alexander Johnson that he was a financier of drugs and sought this assistance in expanding his venture.
The prosecution has contended that Banton was instrumental in brokering the deal, which resulted in the arrest. But Banton said that he was not part of the deal, even though he introduced Thomas to Johnson.
Banton said he was merely talking when he spoke with Johnson about making drug deals and that it was Thomas who brokered the deal. The artiste said he backed away from Johnson after December 8, 2009 when Johnson showed him cocaine in a warehouse. Banton was captured on video tasting the drug.
