Sentence leaves Buju's father speechless

BENJAMIN Myrie, the father of Grammy-winning reggae artiste Buju Banton was yesterday distraught by the news that his son had been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa, Florida.

Myrie was still processing the news, delivered hours earlier, of his beloved son's sentencing when the Observer called. However, the obviously overwhelmed Myrie was unable to talk.

Buju Bantons studio on Carlisle Avenue in St Andrew. (Photos: Bryan Cummings) 1/2

"I really don't want to talk right now," said Myrie.

Myrie's sadness mirrored that of a few friends the artiste grew up with in the Whitehall Avenue community, off Red Hills Road in St Andrew, as news of the lengthy incarceration broke yesterday morning.

Although struck by the news, some were thankful that the artiste was given a sentence below the minimum mandatory 15 years, which could have been imposed had US Judge James Moody not thrown out the gun conviction against the 37-year-old artiste whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie.

"It is certainly a sad feeling, as you would expect, but we will not be discouraged as it could have been worse," said Garnet Whyte, a close friend of Banton's.

Whyte, who spoke on behalf of a group of friends and close associates at the Red Hills Road-based Gargamel Recording Studio of the entertainer, said the spirits of those who supported the entertainer would remain high. "We will be keeping the faith alive and waiting on the appeal. The feelings might be down, but not out," added Whyte.

Whyte was supported by Kenisha Willis, another friend of Banton's. "We just want him to know that we will continue to pray for him and just want him to remain strong," said Willis.

"We want him to know that we are still here and we will always have him in our thoughts," added Georgia Forrester, a close family friend who lives metres away from the home of the senior Myrie. "Keep the faith, Buju. Just leave everything to the Almighty."

Meanwhile, Patrick Sawyers of Whitehall Avenue expressed resentment over the length of the sentence.

"Feel they could have given him a chance," said Sawyers, who seized the opportunity to encourage the artiste to use the situation as a life lesson.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Althea Williams, mother of young Jamaican athlete Ramone Bailey. "Him have to just hold the faith and know life does not end there," Williams told the Observer.