Buju: I fought the fight

Buju Banton hugged his attorneys David Oscar Markus and Mark Seitles, and then turned around and blew kisses to his supporters in the courtroom of the United States Middle District Court, Florida Division, yesterday, moments after a clerk read aloud the verdict of the jury which found him guilty on three of four cocaine-related charges.
“Thank you,” Buju said, before he was led away.
Yesterday’s conviction of the reggae superstar, however, might not be the last fight he stages for freedom. An emotional Markus has given verbal notice of appeal, even while telling reporters Buju has taken the sentence like a man.
“Our life and our destiny are sometimes predestined, and no matter where this journey takes me, remember, I fought the good fight. It was a great man that said my head is bloody but still unbowed. I love you all, thank you for your support,” Buju said in a statement read by Markus.
The singer, whose real name is Mark Myrie, has denied committing any of the crimes for which he was charged. During the trial, Buju said he would have taken a plea deal which was offered to him had he been guilty.
“I would not be here fighting for my life. I would have taken what was coming to me,” he said last week.
Yesterday, Markus, with tears welling, said, “We are all very sad, disappointed and emotional. The only person who seems to be ok is Buju. We just saw him in the lock-up and he has told us that he was happy that he fought, knowing that he is innocent,” Markus said. (The Gleaner)