After winning the Grammy award for Best Reggae album last night, Buju spent the night in a Tampa’s hotel, and earlier today, at 1pm, he attended his own trial, that it’s going to last all the week.
Banton won the Award for Best Reggae Album for his latest studio album,” Before The Dawn”.
This was his first Grammy Award, but he was nominated in previous years for “Rasta Got Soul” in 2009; “Too Bad” in 2007; “Friends For Life”, in 2004; and “Inna Heights”, in 1999.
Speaking with the media after the adjournment of the first day of the trial, Banton went straight to the point.
He thanked God for giving him a good jury and he added that all he is asking is for them to listen to all the facts. He also said he felt good about his prospects of securing a not guilty verdict.The afternoon’s session was adjourned close to 4 pm after a juror fell ill.
Earlier on this afternoon, while addressing jurors during the opening statement, David Markus, Banton’s attorney, listed 10 reasons why Banton was not guilty.
Among these reasons Buju did not get a dollar or anything from the deal; never spoke with James Mack nor heard of him before; that he never spoke with Ike and Tyke and never went to the warehouse on December 8, 2009 to see drugs.
Markus also introduced Banton to the jurors, saying that he was not guilty. He said last night (Grammy night) was an important night for Banton, but this week will be important for the entertainer and his family.He also constantly referred to the police informant that brought Buju’s name in the story, as a con artist.
Today jurors have been selected to sit on the panel for Buju retrial, 14 jurors including 9 women and 3 of them are African American, the Jury selection lasted two hours. Will keep you posted.
