Grammy award winning reggae artist BuJu Banton was found guilty on drug conspiracy charges yesterday and is facing life in prison...
BuJu Banton was convicted of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and using the telephone to facilitate a drug crime.
BuJu calls charges a set up, blaming his conviction on trash talking.
The AP reports
Prosecutor Preston hammered Banton during cross examination, saying that the 37-year-old singer went out of his way to portray himself as a drug financier.
"You gave (the informant) every reason to believe you were a player in the cocaine game," Preston said.
Banton shot back: "We were both trying to impress each other. I was just making things up. I was just talking crap. I talk too much."
Two other Jamaican musicians, Stephen Marley and Gramps Morgan, testified on Banton's behalf Wednesday and said their friend definitely spoke with swagger — but is a hardworking musician and beloved musician in his native Jamaica who never had contact with cocaine.
"He's a big talker," said Marley, who is the son of reggae legend Bob Marley.
The Federal informant who facilitated the drug deal was paid $50,000.00 after BuJu's arrest. Yeah. BuJu met the guy on an 8 hour flight to Maridid and the conversation turned to drugs [click here if you missed that].
Anyway, BuJu, who never put up any money for the deal, was found guilty yesterday, remanded to custody and his bail revoked. No sentencing date has been set.
