Supporters stunned
Published:Wednesday | February 23, 2011 | 12:00 AM
CAROL TAYLOR led the prayer warriors at the Buju Banton trial, petitioning God to speak to the hearts of the jurors so Buju would be set free. Yesterday morning, she convened yet another prayer meeting and proclaimed freedom for the reggae superstar.
"I can feel it. Today is Mark Anthony Myrie's day," she said as she prayed.
It was indeed Buju's day, but not the day he and his supporters were looking for, as by mid-afternoon, the bright skies over Tampa, which had overpowered the early-morning fog, turned grey. Tears were everywhere and shock and disbelief gripped the faces of many who stood with Buju throughout the trial.
"The jurors had another view, but my God has not changed. Know that he is not guilty and I am holding on to what God told me," Taylor, who led prayers last week into this week, told The Gleaner.
Chanting psalm
Proceedings yesterday began with the 'congregation' chanting Psalm 21 in which they substituted the name of David for Mark Myrie. Buju Banton participated in the recitation of the psalm - freedom was all they asked for. It never came.
"It is a set-up, from day one is a set-up," Benash, one of Buju's friends and supporters, told The Gleaner.
He said the news was "very, very painful".
Entertainers Wayne Wonder and Delly Ranx, Buju's friends, were stunned by the verdict.
"Jah a beat dem hard with the belt buckle and the nail board," Wayne Wonder declared, making reference to the hard road Buju has been made to trod since he was arrested on December 10, 2009.
"It is not over yet … . Right now, it is about comforting his children and his family. It has been a long journey," said 'Gramps' Morgan, of Morgan Heritage.
"We are really disappointed in the verdict today but we are not giving up, because we believe in Buju's innocence, and even if it means marching on Washington to get justice for Buju, we are going to get justice for him," said Sharon Burke, Buju's friend and mother figure.