Internationally acclaimed Dancehall/Reggae superstar, Buju Banton will continue his fight for freedom with new legal representation after axing his long-time lawyer in his ongoing drug case.
David Oscar Markus, who has been representing Buju since his initial arrest in December 2009, has been sacked by the Grammy-winning entertainer. The move was confirmed on Tuesday by Markus himself.
"I will always consider Buju my friend and my brother and I think of him every day," Markus wrote in an email to the Broward Palm Beach Times.
"It pains me that he is in prison. I truly hope that he gets some relief."
Buju Banton will now be represented by Mississippi-based lawyer and human rights activist, Chokwe Lumamba. Lumamba remains renowned for representing late, great rap superstar, Tupac Shakur as well as Black Panther member, Assata Shakur (Tupac's step-aunt).
Buju Banton's shift in legal representation comes weeks after his request for a new trial was turned down. This, after an appeal made on his behalf to overturn a conviction and subsequent 10 year sentence on drug charges was dismissed on a Georgia Circuit Court as it had been determined that there was sufficient evidence to warrant the ruling against Buju.
The upholding of said appeal also revived a gun charge that was originally thrown out by trial judge, James Moody. Following the rejected trial request, Judge Moody intimated that Buju Banton faces sentencing in his drug case and could be held in custody for an additional five years as a result.
Buju Banton's sentencing has been scheduled for October 30 in Miami.
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