A court has ruled in favour of a former magistrate’s lawsuit brought after a caller to a television show allegedly made defamatory statements, accusing her of causing trouble for the people of the Virgin Islands and suggesting that she be sent home to her native Jamaica.

 

Valerie Stephens, who formerly served as the territory’s senior magistrate and is now a lawyer in private practice, sued Joseph “Mattie” Rosan Jr. for statements that he allegedly made on the May 7, 2011 edition of the call-in show “Speak Your Mind,” which is broadcast on the network JTV.

A recently released judgment written by Master Pearletta Lanns doesn’t repeat the exact words that Mr. Rosan said during the show, but it summarises his comments: He allegedly accused Ms. Stephens of “plotting to use” another magistrate, Tamia Richards, as an understudy in place of Mr. Rosan’s sister, Charmaine Rosan-Bunbury.

Ms. Rosan-Bunbury was dismissed from her post as magistrate last year amidst allegations of insubordination and misconduct — a decision she is challenging in court.

According to Ms. Lanns’ judgment, Ms. Stephens had applied to have Mr. Rosan’s defence to the defamation suit disqualified, alleging that it didn’t present a reasonable ground for defending the claim.

Ms. Lanns agreed, disallowing the defence and ordering Mr. Rosan to pay Ms. Stephens $2,000 to cover the legal costs of her successful application. The court is to assess damages caused by the alleged defamation at a future sitting.

However, Mr. Rosan has since appealed Ms. Lanns’ decision to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal, which is scheduled to consider the matter at its September sitting.

Attempts to reach Ms. Stephens and Mr. Rosan for comment were not successful.

See the Aug. 15, 2013 edition for full coverage.