Two minds with Buju

It must be because I'm Gemini; I seem to always be of two minds.

This time it revolves around who else? Mark 'Buju Banton' Myrie, who is looking at anywhere between 15 years and life in prison for cocaine-related crimes. Like many people, I was initially disappointed with the jury's decision. My nationality and ethnicity are screaming out that 'the Gargamel', as Buju is also known, got a raw deal.

I may be losing my mind, but the prosecution's case didn't sound as strong to me the second time around. Maybe that's because I had heard it before. I honestly believe that Buju was just talking crap when he boasted about his 'hustling' skills, as naïve as that might sound. Unfortunately, talking crap can get you into a lot of trouble. So convinced was I that Buju would be okay that I expected the jury to come back after two hours. For some viewers, the longer they deliberated, the more doubt there is guilt. But I had a feeling that the opposite would happen. And when the jury asked to see the gun, my mind went "uh-oh". So said, so done; guilty!

can't blame the jury

However, almost a week after the verdict, having heard a number of opinions, listened to reasoning of the evidence from some attorneys, and putting myself in a jury-member's shoes, I have to admit, I feel differently. I don't know whether Buju thought about making a deal and, as the time got closer, decided against it. Problem is, if he acquiesces even a little, then he is guilty. If I was sitting in that courtroom, had never heard of Buju and didn't know his songs, I believe that I would think he was trying to take me for a jackass. If I saw him on video tasting cocaine, I might think, "You know this guy knows what he's doing". So based on the evidence presented, I can't blame the jury.

Unlike many people, I'm not totally convinced Buju was targeted because of his Boom Bye Bye days. Again, call me stupid. But I'm definitely not convinced that his conviction was as a result of the aforementioned grudges. You see, one never really knows what to expect with a jury. Sometimes the people selected aren't the brightest, but the key element a potential juror has to show is impartiality. I think they were impartial; they just didn't believe 'Gargamel'.

Ever heard the saying "some people will never learn until they are taught a lesson?". So, hopefully, Buju's folly will teach a lesson to everyone. Don't pretend to be what you're not, and on long flights, shut up and sleep!

Tell me your thoughts on the legal system at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com