Judge Rejects Buju Banton Plea For New US Trial

In June, the federal appeals court upheld the Jamaican singer’s 2011 conviction on cocaine conspiracy and trafficking charges. The three-judge panel also sided with a jury’s conviction of Banton on a gun possession charge, which the trial judge tossed at his sentencing.

The appeals court rules that there was sufficient evidence to convict the singer, whose real name is Mark Myrie, on the gun charge.

Banton’s attorney filed a motion in July seeking a new trial. Judge James Moody in Tampa denied that request Tuesday.

Banton is serving a 10-year prison sentence. The gun charge carries an additional five-year sentence.