Busy Signal Pleads 'Not Guilty'

Busy Signal has pleaded not guilty yesterday to one count of failure to appear in court.

The dancehall deejay who is said to have fled the United States to avoid a trial a decade ago on a drug charge made his first court appearance in Minnesota since being re-arrested.

Busy Signal was picked up by the Fugitive Apprehension Team, United States Marshals and representatives of the British High Commission at the Norman Manley International Airport immediately after he stepped off a flight from the United Kingdom on May 21.

Busy waived his right to an extradition hearing and was later extradited to the U.S. on June 19.

The deejay who is being represented by attorney at law Bill Mauzy was yesterday remanded.

Busy Signal could face up to five years in prison if convicted on that count according to the Associated Press.

Busy Signal was arrested in Minneapolis in 2002, and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine before he fled to Jamaica ahead of his trial.

The AP says, the cocaine charges still exist, but because of extradition treaties, any future prosecution on those counts would have to be worked out between the Jamaican and U.S. governments.