'The injustice, not cancer, killed Charmaine R. Rosan Bunbury'- Husband
The funeral service was held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fat Hogs Bay on Tortola and burial at the Greenland Cemetery in Long Look.
Rosan-Bunbury, 46, died on December 31, 2017 at a United Kingdom hospital, months after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
The ‘injustice’
Reflecting on the life of his late wife, Mr Bunbury Snr blamed the Crown for destroying his family and eventually killing his wife as he said the firing of Rosan-Bunbury as a magistrate and then refusal to have her re-instated after a tribunal recommended her re-instatement hurt her to the core.
This news site had reported on April 14, 2014 that Mrs Rosan-Bunbury was waiting to be reinstated to the magistracy two years after a tribunal found no wrongdoing on her part.
Mrs Rosan-Bunbury had stated at the time that a tribunal sat on April 18, 2012 to determine the charges levied against her by the Crown and which caused her to be interdicted from duty. She said that the charges of insubordination to the Deputy Governor V. Inez Archibald, former Magistrate Valerie Stephens-Gordon and Permanent Secretary, David D. Archer were dismissed. The Attorney General decided to withdraw and not pursue the accusations of insubordination.
“A number of other charges were; however, substituted and leveled against me which the tribunal decided on. But the tribunal concluded that I had done nothing to justify my removal from Office. The tribunal ended my interdiction and directed my immediate return to the Office of Magistrate. This decision of the tribunal of which the Governor was informed was made since May 14, 2012,” Mrs Rosan-Bunbury had said at the time.
Shocked & horrified
Mr Bunbury Snr, during his 'reflections', said her life thereafter was consumed with seeking justice to clear her name and to move on with her career.
“It was very painful at times to see her cry, she cried a lot and I cried with her too. At times the anguish was heartwrenching to see her in pain. I felt helpless watching her in tears. I encourage her to seek counselling, but she was very private,” he said, adding that his wife’s death was an accumulation of seven years of crisis that was very traumatic.
He related that six months after giving birth to her youngest child, Rosan-Bunbury was interdicted and subsequently terminated from the magistracy for reasons that did not exist.
“She was shocked and horrified over the injustice done against her. Bewildered by the hostile behaviour, she struggled to regain her buoyancy. She was very depressed. It wore her out mentally, emotionally and psychologically, culminating in the destruction of her health. I watched my gentle rose wither in grief before my eyes, unable to do anything to stop her pain and death finally crept in and took her away.”
Justice should never die
The grieving husband recalled painfully that over seven years of their fourteen years of marriage was spent trying to get justice. He said all Mrs Rosan-Bunbury wanted was a public acknowledgement of her innocence to clear her name and reputation, so she could move on with her life.
“She was contemplating moving to another jurisdiction to continue her career as a judge, but her reputation was seriously damaged. She was exonerated by the tribunal. The powers to be was dissatisfied with the decision of the tribunal, they tried to influence the tribunal to change its decision but was unsuccessful. Unable to have the decision of the tribunal change, they kept the decision of the tribunal a secret, after which they wrote my wife Informing her that they were ready to terminate her service because they have found her guilty, and she should give them reasons why her service should not be terminated. I am in possession of these documents to support my statement.”
Turning to those who played a part in her interdiction and refusal to have her re-instated as a magistrate, Mr Bunbury Snr had some strong words for them.
“You have no idea of the damage you have done to my wife and the pain and suffering you have caused this family. Charmaine is dead, but justice should never die, and justice should be served.”
‘Injustice killed Charmaine’
Mr Bunbury Snr continued that his wife should not have died fighting for justice as it was a matter that called for moral and dignified people to do what was just in the eyes of God.
“The cancer that kill her is not the cancer she died from. It’s the injustice done against her, she took it to heart. I was there with her through it all. I knew her pain because I felt it too, our family felt it and even more now affected by it. Her cry for justice and her fight for justice consumed her life and destroyed our family.
“She was hurt beyond words could explain. A young woman, full of hope and optimism, rich in potentials, had her name maligned and career abruptly ended in the judiciary, due to hate, envy and jealousy. An innocent woman and a perfect family destroyed, her little children left to grow without the love of their mom and her steady hands that guided them.”
‘Betrayed by a country she was taught to love’
Rosan-Jones described her late sister as a patriot and someone who stood firmly on principle, justice and equality.
She also spoke of the early struggles of Rosan-Bunbury after joining the Attorney General Chambers on her return from law school and her determination to persevere. Rosan-Jones also credited prominent attorney R. Dancia Penn for recommending Rosan-Bunbury to be the first Virgin Islander to hold the position of full time Magistrate.
She added; however, that the position of magistrate is one of great achievement and prominence but mostly of trust, fairness, exceptional judgement and equal justice; things that were found to be lacking with the present system in the Virgin Islands.
“I have spent the better part of the past 9 years consoling my sister on the treatment that she received while in that position and that upon her departure from the position. I do not hold any ill will for anyone personally but we are sitting under a system that must be fixed.”
She added; however, that the treatment levied upon her sister was unjust, difficult for her to manage and it tore her family to shreds.
“Charmaine prided herself on being able to take care of her family, financially and emotionally. Taking away her ability to do so through her removal as Magistrate and through the victimisation levied on her law firm, crippled her. The stress was insurmountable. My sister died with a broken heart. She was emotionally bruised and battered. She felt betrayed by a country that she was taught to love, one that she did love.”
Fight for justice will continue
Rosan-Jones has vowed to continue the fight for justice for her late sister.
“My sister held her dignity and what she stood for, close to her heart. Nothing was more important to her than restoring that which was wrongfully taken away from her. It was never about the money; and it is my duty to ensure that it is restored and maintained. It is my duty to ensure and protect her legacy.
Meanwhile, other tributes were given by R. Dancia Penn QC, Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), attorney David A. Penn and business and former Permanent Secretary Julian Willock.
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33 Responses to “'The injustice, not cancer, killed Charmaine R. Rosan Bunbury'- Husband”
THINGS AINT WHAT IT SEEMS ALEC.STOP PRETENDING PLEASE
Oh how many people are currently out here, ALIVE, and suffering from the injustice of others because of ENVY, GREED, JEALOUSY, HATE! But Jehovah God is living and as surely as he is alive the wicked will pay - some done start to pay. Avoid mocking God. For what a man sows, he will without fail reap.
Is it truly possible that people who claim they know and love God to continually do EVIL?
Wondering why she could not have published her vindication by the tribunal and step through the open door of a new life chapter.
May she rest in Peace.
But if you hold on to anything negative in your spirit, you will never heal!
I am qualified to speak because I am a cancer survivor!
You have to detox your mind, body and soul!
The list is long from Patrick Harrigan, to Wade Tobin to Anna Rabsatt, K. Fraser, J Willock, O Maynard, L Hodge-Smith, Claude Cline, Charles Forbes, and I could go on and on and on. (most recently Al Hendly whose father served this country)
This NDP government is wicked and they had the support of the former DG and bow tie to carry out their wickedness and genocide against we the locals of this country.
But just know payback is a bitch and what does not catch them including two nasty politicians who also pushed some of this they not even form here, god will make them pay or their children suffer. Mark my works.
Wickedness needs to be out of style in such a small society!!!!!
The hurricanes was a warning to stop, but sadly it never worked the wickedness continues
wow a long time ... 7 years of goin down hill
No blame for the failure to overcome but yourself. It is easier to live when we accept responsibility, learn and grow. That is life's purpose.
Grow up people!
I am trying but for the life of me cannot figure what would have happened had Atty Bunbury lost her case.
Bizarre.
Wonder what would have happened igStty 8