Banton Seeks New Trial

A lawyer for Buju Banton isn’t giving up the fight, and recently filed a motion to hold a new trial for the reggae singer in U.S. federal court.

The move follows a federal appeals court ruling in Atlanta last month, where a three-judge panel upheld Banton’s 2011 conviction on cocaine conspiracy and trafficking charges. However, the justices also apparently thought Banton should have been convicted on a gun possession charge that a trial judge had thrown out during the artist’s sentencing.

Banton’s already been through one retrial in the case. His first trial ended in a mistrial in 2010 when the jury couldn’t reach a verdict.

During the retrial, a Tampa judge tossed the gun charge because the government offered no evidence linking the singer to the gun, according to the New Times Broward.

But with the appeals court ruling, Banton’s current 10-year prison sentence could reportedly be extended an additional five years.

“We’re going to keep fighting for Buju because he shouldn’t have to do 10 years in prison, let alone 15,” Banton Attorney David Markus told the paper.

The government has filed a motion to strike the request for a retrial.