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Embattled reggae star Buju Banton legal troubles could take a turn for the worse come next month.
Buju Banton new trial is schedule to begin next month in Tampa Florida. According to reports by the Jamaica Observer, Banton could face additional charges when he returns to court.
Buju Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, was tried in September of last year on 2 charges, however, prosecutor James Preston is looking to add two additional counts of cocaine charges.
In an obvious attempt to increase the chances of a conviction, James Preston secured a new grand jury indictment late last year, listing three counts of cocaine-related charges against the four-time Grammy nominated reggae artiste.
David Markus, Buju lead defense lawyer, is looking to have the new indictment thrown out on the grounds that it is not permissible for new charges to be brought on old information and that the weapon charge was a violation of the Fifth Amendment.
“The chief danger raised by a multiplicitous indictment is the possibility that the defendant will receive more than one sentence for a single offence,” Markus said.
Buju Banton was tried last September on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking offence.
The 12-member panel of jurors was unable to reach a verdict following three days of deliberations.
The new trial is schedule to begin early next month.
