Buju Banton Convicted This Week....Was It By His Own Mouth?

This past week Mark Myrie, known to the world as Buju Banton was convicted on conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.  However, he was acquitted of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.  The funny thing is Buju was not ever involved with the sale or purchase of cocaine.

The saga began back in July 2009 when Buju Banton met Alexander Johnson on a flight from Spain to Florida.  On the flight, the conversation of drugs came up between Buju Banton and Johnson and by Buju's own admission on the stand he spoke about what he could do concerning a "hook up" on buyers or sellers.  Yet, on the stand Buju stated that what he was saying he could do was just talk, that he was only "talking crap" and that he was not a drug dealer.  I believe Buju, that he is not a drug dealer.  Buju is now 37 years old and was probably 35 or 34 when this began in 2009. 

Much like Iyanla Vanzantin her books, Buju is a master of truth, rights and Rasta wisdom on his records but, appears not to be able to wield these truths in his own life.   Sadly, here is another indigenous brotha behind bars.  In 2000 on his Unchained Spirit release Buju sings about being locked up without bail on the song Law and order;

Maybe, Buju predicted his future without conscious.  Maybe, Buju could not see what he was saying in public on the Law and Order song and in private "I was just talking crap" could set the course of events some months and years later.  Surely, we are the masters and mistresses of our destiny more than we are aware.  We hold our futures in our minds.  In 2001 KRS One released Sneak Attack.  I am sure this music was in Buju's music rotation and I wish he would have listened to the wisdom of the song The Mind. 

Buju Banton to the world, and Mark Myrie to his true friends and family, will have to face up to 15 years in the belly of the beast's penal system.  All in all, whether or not he had anything to do with hard narcotics, one thing is for sure, it's clear to see our mouths and our thoughts create much of the world we live. 

Comments

[Asabagna]

Hey bruh!

I read somewhere that an accused in an overwhelmingly majority of cases, is convicted after a second trial. The prosecution can firm up their case during a second trial. I was pretty sure that Buju would be convicted, especially after reading his testimony.

One of the things I counsel Black males on, is not to put themselves in a position to be snarled by the criminal justice system... whether by words or deed! In my professional and personal life, I take care not to say or do anything that will open the door to be victimized by the system. For those who do, they can scream injustice and that they aren't being treated fairly, but this all falls on deaf ears, within both the black and White community, especially when it comes to (alleged) drug dealing. Even if someone takes up your cause and you are proved innocent, after spending 10, 20, 30 or 40 years or more in jail, that is life you will never get back, no matter how much money you may get in compensation.

There are cases where innocent people get falsely accused and convicted. No doubt. I don't know if Buju is truly innocent or guilty. I do know that his own words, to Alexander Johnson and in his testimony in court convicted him. He may only be guilty of "talking crap"... but this may get him 15 years in jail.

[[Victor Amenta]]

Asa, thanks for coming by. We so often agree on these things. In fact you are right, the prosecution can definately bolster their case the second time around. Apparently, Buju is not as mature as he appears or sings. It't too bad that many of us don't understand the power of our words.