Well, Buju Banton was supposed to have had his bail hearing today...
However, the presiding judge (Anthony Porcelli), is new to the case, so he deferred making a decision re whether or not to give Buju bail, until next week Wednesday.
Judge Porcelli said that he needed time to review documents and arguments submitted by the defense and prosecutors.
At that time, he will also be setting a new date in December for the retrial of Buju Banton on drug trafficking charges.
(Buju's first trial was declared a mistrial since it resulted in a hung jury. His new trial date was set for December, but the presiding judge at the first trial - Judge Moody, did not set a trial date).
US prosecutors are trying to prevent Buju Banton from getting bail as they claim that he is a flight risk.
They are arguing that he should remain in prison until his drug trafficking case is heard in December.
However, Buju's defense lawyer, David Markus, is arguing that Buju Banton is too famous/popular to be a flight risk, as he's easily recognizable.
It will be interesting to see what verdict is reached by this new judge, next week...
In the meantime, many Jamaicans and those who love Jamaica and Reggae music are still holding our breaths...if only briefly.
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Buju released his album, Before the Dawn, last week Tuesday (from prison) and it's eating up the charts...it's currently at the no. 2 spot on iTunes Top Reggae Albums Chart.
It is expected to reach number 1 position by next week. (It was first released in the USA and Japan, then in Europe and the UK on October 1 and 4, respectively).
Before the Dawn is currently available on iTunes and Amazon.com.
Gillian
Sources Include
1) Power 106 FM News at 3:00 p.m., October 6,2010
2) Nationwide Radio News at 6:00 p.m., October 6,2010
3) Article,"Another week in jail for Buju", by Paul Henry - Observer Reporter, Jamaica Observer, October 6,2010.
4) Article, "Buju Banton's Before The Dawn Album - #2 On iTunes Top Reggae Albums Chart", via OutARoad.com, accessed October 6,2010.
5) Television Jamaica's Entertainment programme, Entertainment Prime, October 5,2010
6) Article,"Before the Dawn - Buju's new album released today", via JamaicaObserver.com, September 28, 2010
