Not giving up and remaining vigilant, Buju Banton’s attorney has filed a motion in the United States Middle District Court, Florida division, requesting a new trial for the Grammy-winning Jamaican reggae superstar. The attorney, David Oscar Markus, in a motion pursuant to rules 29 and 33 of the federal rules of criminal procedure, has moved for the entry of a judgment of acquittal and requested that, as an alternative, the court grant him a new trial.
He has also requested that Buju be released from custodial confinement pending his direct appeal to the United States Court of Appeals. Buju, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was last week convicted of three cocaine-related charges in the United States.
In his motion, Markus argued: “Mr Myrie reiterates and incorporates by reference his motions for judgment of acquittal made at the close of the Government’s case and at the close of all the evidence based on the absence of substantial credible evidence sufficient to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Insufficient evidence
The motion adds: “Mr Myrie also reiterates the objections and motions he made before and during the first and second trials … . With regard to the request for a new trial, in making this determination, the court must consider whether it is in the interest of justice to let the verdicts stand.”
In the document, Markus pointed to what he said were issues of insufficient evidence presented by the US government.
SOURCE: Jamaica Gleaner
