4:25 p.m. Monday Sept 27, 2010: TAMPA, Florida — Reggae star Buju Banton will have to wait until December to know his fate.
United States Judge Tim Moody announced that a new trial will begin in December after the jury was still deadlocked after three days.
Banton’s attorney David Markus made an application for bail for his client and was told that the court would hear the application tomorrow.
Earlier today the foreman said the 12-member jury was split evenly.
A jury foreman told United States judge Jim Moody at 9:50 a.m. that they were unable to reach a verdict in the drug case.
“I don’t know if we will get to a final decision. We don’t feel that we will progress, so could you provide further instructions? Since Thursday we have been reviewing evidence, nobody has changed their minds from their original positions,” the jury foreman told the court.
Moody instructed the jurors to take their time in coming to a final decision.
Banton, 36, appeared in court in a white shirt and a cream coloured pants today. His feet were shackled.
The reggae artiste is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine which carries the maximum of 20 years imprisonment. (Jamaica Observer.com)
