Buju Banton retrial postponed until February

TAMPA — The retrial of Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton has been postponed from December to February.

The change came at the request of Banton's defense attorney, who said in a motion that Banton, 37, hopes to make arrangements for bail for the holidays. A December trial date also would have been bad for schedules of the defense attorney and witnesses. The government did not oppose the delay.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, is charged with trying to buy 5 kilograms, or 11 pounds, of cocaine. His first federal trial ended in a mistrial in September.