US judge throws out Buju’s gun conviction

(Jamaica Gleaner) A US federal judge yesterday threw out a 2011 gun conviction against reggae star Buju Banton.

The decision means that Banton, whose given name is Mark Myrie, will serve 10 years for now.

He would have faced an additional five years on the gun conviction.

Meanwhile, Judge James Moody has told the government to bring a criminal contempt charge against a juror who helped send him to prison.

Banton’s legal team had sought a new trial following the disclosure that a juror, Terri Wright, had conducted an internet research on aspects of the case during the trial.