Juror in Buju Banton’s case to be investigated by special prosecutor

A special prosecutor has been assigned to investigate a juror who allegedly violated court procedures during the trial that ended in reggae star Buju Banton being convicted for gun and drug charges.

Jury forewoman, Terri Wright allegedly broke the rules of the court by conducting outside research as the trial was ongoing

The US Department of Justice has been tasked with leading the case against the juror and plans to meet with Wright; Banton’s legal team and the feds, according to news reports in the United States.

Though no one on the government end is talking much, the appointment of a special prosecutor in such a situation is significant. Such prosecutors are typically reserved for investigating government officials.

“Here we have a wildcat juror, somebody who’s going way beyond their authority and doing things that were completely inappropriate. This undermined the search for truth, which resulted, I think, in the conviction of [Banton],” Buju Banton’s defense attorney Charles Ogletree, who heads Harvard Law School’s Institute for Race and Justice was quoted as saying.

Months ago Wright was ordered to turn over her computer for forensic analysis.

It’s left to be seen whether this latest turn of events will move Buju any closer to freedom.