JURY SELECTION BEGINS IN BANTON DRUG TRIAL=20
Reggae star BUJU BANTON will finally face up to the drug charges stemming from his arrest last year (09) - jury selection has begun, five months a fter he was initially due to stand trial.
Banton, real name Mark Myrie, was jailed in December 2009 after he was caught allegedly attempting to buy more than five kilograms of cocaine fr om an undercover law enforcement officer in Sarasota, Florida.
The case was due to go to trial in April (10) but was postponed until J une (10) before being delayed once more.
Now the troubled Jamaican is preparing to answer charges including cons piracy to possess, intent to distribute and possession of a firearm durin g the course of illegal activity, reports AllHipHop.com.
Jury selection began on Monday (20Sep10) at the Federal Court in Tampa, Florida.
He has pleaded not guilty to all counts and has accused U.S. government officials of entrapment and pressuring him into purchasing the drugs.
Banton has been held without bail in Pinellas County Jail in Tampa sinc e his arrest.
If convicted, he faces up to life behind bars.
Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)
