Buju Banton is breathing a sigh of relief after a Federal Judge dismissed his gun charge last week, which would have attach an additional five years to his sentance. Judge James Moody also dismissed the reggae artiste application for a new trial on the grounds that the juror misconduct was not enough.
On June 26, 2013 Judge James Moody handed down a ruling holding juror Teri Wright in contempt after she admitted to a Florida journalist that she researched aspects of the case during the high profile trial. However, that was not enough for Judge James Moody to grant Buju Banton a new trial.
Chokwe Lumumba
Buju Banton is now discussing with his lawyers whether or not he should appeal the judge’s decision not to grant him a new trial. While he contemplates his next move, Buju Banton may also have to seek new legal representation since his current lawyer Chokwe Lumumba was elected mayor of Jackson, Mississippi last month.
Buju Banton has 14 days to appeal the judge’s decision while prosecutors have 30 days to appeal the dismissal of the gun conviction. He will continue to serve out his 10-year sentence in a Florida prison. Buju is set to be released from prison in February 2019.