Grammy-award winning reggae artist Buju Banton (nee Mark Myrie) was sentenced to 10 years today in Tampa. Letters and pleas for leniency from Buju’s friends, family, fans and even Hollywood elites like Danny Glover, seem to have fallen on deaf ears as Buju Banton will have to spend the next 10 years of his life in a federal prison.
The sentence albeit five years less than the minimum guideline is still shocking and severe. David Markus, Buju’s attorney, characterized the sentence as “way more than necessary”. I concur especially considering Buju co-defendants received sentences half this length and they were actually at the scene of the crime!!
Buju Banton’s son Mark Myrie also wrote a letter in support of his famous father. The letter states “the situation is just an example of our mere imperfections as people, being at the wrong place at the wrong time.” Words to live by. I tell my son everyday, being at the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people can irrevocably change your destiny.
My heart goes out to Buju Banton, his friends, family and his minions of fans. I hope and pray that there will be mercy in the appeals processs. Keep the faith Buju!!! I could go on and on the full has never been told…..
