Update Re: Buju Banton

Taken from an e-mail sent by Natasha Von Castle...

Greetings;

This morning I received an update from Leslie Norberg, Judicial Assistant to Judge James Moody Jr., who has asked that letters also be sent to:

Natasha Creamer
U. S. Probation Officer, P.O. Box 390
Tampa, FL  33601.

When addressing Ms. Creamer, we must specify that we are writing in support of Mark Myrie a/k/a Buju Banton.  Based on the feedback, our letters are making a difference.  Together, we will effect change for Buju!

Thank you
Natasha Von Castle

An open letter to Judge James Moody sent via e-mail:  chambers_flmd_moody@flmd.uscourts.gov

And via airmail:

The Honourable James S. Moody Jr.

 United States District Judge

 Tampa Division

 801 North Florida Avenue

 Tampa, Florida 33602

Dear Judge Moody;

In your many years within the justice system as a lawyer and Judge, I am sure you have come across cases that have either touched you, or touched the community which you represent.  A touch could be a personal understanding of one or some of the components in a case, just as a touch can be pride in knowing that the justice system worked (the way it’s supposed to) in making sure the right people receive the right punishment according to their crime(s).

Your honor, I am writing this letter with the belief that I, on behalf of the community I represent, can appeal to you on a ‘touch’ level.

Before your court is the matter of Mr. Mark ‘Buju Banton’ Myrie who is due to be sentenced on June 23^rd by you, for the conviction he received on the charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute.  I appeal to you to reduce Buju's sentence from the recommended 15 years.

Buju is not like any man you will ever meet.  He is a friend, father, a husband and one of the pillars in the Caribbean community; not just Jamaica, but every Caribbean community in every city around the world.

As one of our pillars, he has given the community songs which nourish the soul.  This nourishment has turned youths away from crime, has strengthened families and healed those who were not well.

How do we know this is true?  The testimony of countless of which I am one.  He spoke for me when he sang 'I wanna go ahead without turning back / and now I see myself heading for the trap / I wanna break free but I feel trapped / a voice inside me saying don't stop....'  Those words were taken from the song "Optimistic Soul" which encouraged listeners to not give up, no matter how daunting the situation looks.  Those were Buju's words from 2010.  If we go back 10 years before that, we have 'there was good and evil / we chose good ....'

When an announcement is made that Buju weill be performing, the show(s) sell out.  Tickets are purchased by people who want a live touch of Buju's nourishing qords.  Fans leave the concerts fulfilled and refocused on the right path.

We the community need Buju, and we need you to understand his importance to us.  Because of these needs, I ask you to not sentence Buju to 15 years in prison.  I ask that you consider his humanitarian works with the children of his homeland Jamaica and I ask that you consider his impact on the Caribbean community around the world.  Once you've considered these, I ask that you set a sentence that will not see Buju away from us for lengthy period of time.

Thank you,

Natasha Von Castle

Chief Executive Officer and Preseident

L3 Group of Companies

Toronto, ON  Canada