FLORIDA – The first witness called by Buju Banton’s defence team has described him as the “voice of Jamaica” and a “man of integrity”.
The witness, Stephanie Black, is an independent documentary filmmaker who produced the electronic press kit for Buju’s 1995 hit album Til Shiloh.
Black described Buju as being a close friend.
“He has become a friend to me. I have spent a lot of time in Jamaica over the past 16 years . . . I have met his mother, his children, his family,” Black said.
She also claimed to have travelled with Buju to Gambia on one occasion and that when the singer was in New York he often visited her.
“He is a talker,” she said while adding that she has never seen Buju use cocaine, nor has she ever seen or heard of him being engaged in the trafficking and sale of the illicit drug.
Under cross- examination from Jim Preston, who is leading the government’s case, Black said Buju can be considered as “boasty”.
“. . . But in my experience he has never told a lie,” she told Preston, who with a straight face declared “no further questions”.
Buju Banton’s lawyer David Markus has told the jury that although Buju is heard on tape boasting about drug deals he has never indulged. He said all Buju was doing was talking, nothing more.
The court is currently on recess. Buju could take the stand this afternoon as his team mounts a defence to the charges.
The prosecution has now closed its presentation of evidence in the Buju Banton trial after calling four witnesses in two and a half days to prove the Jamaican reggae star conspired to buy and distribute cocaine in the United States.
Buju is facing charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm during the course of a drug trafficking crime, attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a communication facility in the commission of an act constituting a felony.
(Jamaica Gleaner.)
