Judge declares mistrial in Buju Banton drug case
TAMPA – A Florida judge on Monday declared a mistrial for Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton, who was accused of conspiring to buy cocaine from an undercover police officer last year.
U.S. District Judge James Moody made the decision after the 12-person jury sent him a second note saying they couldn’t reach a verdict.
Deliberations had begun Thursday after a four-day trial.
The jurors declined to tell reporters about their deliberations.
“We were hoping to get a good verdict today. That said, 12 jurors did not believe Buju did it,” said Banton’s attorney, David Markus. “The government tried to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and they did not do it.”
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