Jamaican singer and rapper Buju Banton is going to have to wait a bit longer before heading to court. The performer was denied a quicker trial on federal drug trafficking charges on June 3.
Banton was arrested in Sarasota late last year when he attempted to buy drugs from an undercover Sarasota police officer. U.S. District Judge James S. Moody set Banton’s trial for September, denying a motion for a speedy trial filed by David Markus, who is Banton’s attorney.
This marks the second time the case has been postponed. The trial was initially set for April, and then changed to June. No reasons for the delay were given.
Banton made headlines locally when he was booked—and then dropped—by several music venues in Tampa and St. Petersburg. The controversial performer has several songs calling for the murder of gay men. He eventually performed at the Cuban Club in Ybor City. That venue said it was unaware of Banton’s stance on murdering gay men before he was booked and that it could not undo his contract. The club also said he was not permitted to perform his song, “Boom, Bye, Bye,” which details the killing of a gay man, during his stop.
Marcus argued that his client should be tried sooner than September.
“[He] wants his day in court. He’s understandably frustrated,” Markus said. “All we want is to present his case to a jury.”
Banton, who was nominated for a Grammy this year, has been in jail since December.
