Buju could walk free? Government error may trigger dismissal of artiste’s case!

Embattled Dancehall/Reggae superstar, Mark Myrie, more popularly known as Buju Banton may have a lifeline after all following the revelation on Tuesday that an alleged United States government mishap could trigger the dismissal of his case.

According to media reports, Buju Banton could walk free from his conviction and subsequent ten year sentence on drug-related charges after the discovery that the U.S. government may have violated the Speedy Trial Act. The act states that any defendant involved in a case must be brought to trial by the government within a 70 day window; a right guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment in the American constitution. Additionally, said right is generally afforded to defendants so that they not subjected to unreasonably lengthy incarceration prior to a fair trial.

Buju Banton’s first trial took place in September 2010, nine months after his initial arrest by law enforcement officials in Florida and four months after Judge James Moody pushed back Buju’s initial court date without giving any specifics regarding why the case was postponed. His second trial, where he was later convicted, took place in February of this year, four months after he was granted bail in the case.

The U.S Supreme Court has developed a four part test considering length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the defendant’s assertion of his right to a speedy trial, and the prejudice to the defendant in judging speedy trial claims. Any violations of the Speedy Trial Act could spark the dismissal of a criminal case given the state’s inability to bring the case to trial within a reasonable amount of time.

Buju Banton’s legal team filed an appeal last week in a Georgia appeals court, citing violation of said act whilst intimating that the prominent Reggae singjay was not a willing participant in any drug conspiracy.

Buju Banton was sentenced to ten years in prison this past February on three drug-related charges stemming from a December 2009 incident where he allegedly conspired to organize a drug deal within a police controlled warehouse.

By Jodee Brown, Jamaican Pop Culture Examiner
Examiner.com

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Comment by Dancehall Palace on December 29, 2011 at 12:37pm: free buju

Comment by nord myrie on December 24, 2011 at 12:40pm: Only time will tell and Jah will make a way.Love Buju mi cous.

Comment by BigBlackjr on December 23, 2011 at 1:09pm: Sorry but I don't see this going down they went threw to much to get him locked up a lot of man hours meaning a lot of money if you had an Idea how many black man are locked up in the US buy a fauilty system you would know what I mean.

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Comment by Stephanie Williams on December 22, 2011 at 3:41pm: I wish them let Buju go soon .
One of his biggest fan ...
Way back ah yard ...

Comment by Clayton G. Trench on December 22, 2011 at 3:09pm: it may the first proof that there is such a thing as justice

Comment by Clayton G. Trench on December 22, 2011 at 3:08pm: buss the baillock easy the bars and set the lion free

Comment by kelvin on December 22, 2011 at 11:26am: May be there is light at the end of the tunnel, but i dont see it happening, heads would roll.Not hating on you BUJU but im just keeping it real. GOOD LUCK.

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Comment by Mikey Million on December 22, 2011 at 7:39am: Free the boss..
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