Dancehall entertainer Busy Signal who was extradited to the US a week ago, has pleaded not guilty to one count of failure to appear in court. The Jamaican singjay extraordinaire is not currently being prosecuted on the cocaine charges. Busy could face up to five years in prison if convicted.
Busy Signal, born Glendale Gordon, entered his plea yesterday in the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis and was ordered detained. He was charged with two drug counts in 2002, but left Minnesota before his trial. He was arrested last month in Jamaica.
Because of extradition treaties, any future prosecution on the drug charges would need to be worked out between the Jamaican and U.S. governments. It will be interesting to see how this turns ou.
Busy Signal was held by members of the Fugitive Apprehension Team, after completing a European tour. When he was taken to court on May 24, the artist waived his right to an extradition hearing.
