TAMPA, Fla. —
Federal prosecutors in Tampa won’t file a criminal contempt charge against a juror in Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton’s 2011 drug trafficking trial.
U.S. District Judge James Moody said in June that jury foreman Terri Wright should face charges for doing independent research into the case during trial.
In court documents filed Wednesday, prosecutors said they planned to oppose Banton’s latest appeal and could not prosecute Wright simultaneously. They suggested that the court appoint another prosecutor to pursue charges against Wright.
Banton is serving a 10-year sentence for convictions on cocaine conspiracy and trafficking charges stemming from a 2009 arrest.
Banton’s attorneys have sought to withdraw from the case. Chokwe Lumumba was elected mayor of Jackson, Miss., last month, and Imhotep Alkebu-lan became special assistant to that city’s attorney.
You must log in to post a comment.