Buju Banton's Request For New Trial Denied

by Allen Jacobs

UPDATE: Buju Banton is currently serving a 10-year sentence and faces an additional five years.

Today (December 16) Grammy Award-winning Reggae/Dancehall star Buju Banton appealed a cocaine trafficking and conspiracy conviction that landed him a 10-year sentence this February.
The Associated Press reports that Banton (born Mark Myrie) and his attorney, David O. Markus are alleging that a government informant "relentlessly pursued" the star, in exchange for $50,000. Additionally, the Gargamel Records artist maintains that there is not conclusive evidence to the conviction, for which he is presently serving.
The Atlanta, Georgia-based 11th Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to make a decision in 2012.
In his career, Banton worked with Hip Hop acts such as Wyclef Jean and Heavy D & The Boyz.
[December 16]
UPDATE: A judge has denied Buju Banton's request for a new trial, stating there is no need because of a previous appeals court ruling. In June, Atlanta's appeals court upheld Banton's conviction, ruling that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute him. Banton's attorney filed a motion in July seeking a new trial, a request that Judge James Moody denied yesterday.