As the jury was unable to reach a verdict on Thursday and Friday, deliberations will continue today. All weekend, calls to prayer for Gargamel were put out over the internet. If he is found guilty of the charges, Buju Banton could spend at least 20 years behind bars. He faces life, and a fine of 4 million dollars.
The purpose of the proceedings was therefore to determine Buju Banton's involvement. The prosecution, led by Jim Preston, described him as the mastermind of the affair, which he denies. "I was trying to impress Johnson (the dealer, who turned out to be a government informant, editor's note). That is how I ended up in this situation" (…) "I talk too much but I am not a dealer".
Asked why he had tasted the cocaine, Buju Banton answered: "I don't know why I did that. If I could, I would turn back time."
His lawyer denounced a set-up, and highlighted the role played by Johnson, who allegedly "vigorously encouraged" Buju Banton to do cocaine deals between July and December 2009. Buju Banton said he did not know he would see drugs when accompanying Johnson to the warehouse where he was filmed tasting the cocaine: according to him, Johnson was supposed to show him a boat he owned. A version confirmed by Johnson, who admitted he had never told Buju that he would see the merchandise.