Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall has stripped Magistrate Linda Virgill of the exclusive designation of "coroner" and reverted to the pre-1993 practice whereby each magistrate performed the duties of coroner.

Link To Original Article (http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=10051)

What?
She was actually doing a good job.
Jeezus.....

Nah look at what we gawn do!

and so abrupt

In my humble opinion without knowing how long a coroner inquest should take...I think this is more about an inefficient justice system being exposed internationally rather than about a big mouth judge....if only they were as embarrassed and acted so quickly when Bahamians complain about slow justice the citizens of this country wouldn't feel such disdain for the ridiculous mop wearers of this country....most of them really don't care how we feel about their job performance anyway...I suppose more justices doing inquests means faster service...so if I am right and this move is to fix a problem isn't it just like the Bahamas that the death of a foreigner will now provide adequate justice for an entire nation...and if Maynard approved this move to her credit at least we have a forward thinker who means action at the post... maybe I am wrong and it does take more than a month for a coroner inquest?

In my humble opinion without knowing how long a coroner inquest should take...I think this is more about an inefficient justice system being exposed internationally rather than about a big mouth judge....if only they were as embarrassed and acted so quickly when Bahamians complain about slow justice the citizens of this country wouldn't feel such disdain for the ridiculous mop wearers of this country....most of them really don't care how we feel about their job performance anyway...I suppose more justices doing inquests means faster service...so if I am right and this move is to fix a problem isn't it just like the Bahamas that the death of a foreigner will now provide adequate justice for an entire nation...and if Maynard approved this move to her credit at least we have a forward thinker who means action at the post... maybe I am wrong and it does take more than a month for a coroner inquest?



Actually this move slows down the system rather than speed it up. Magistrates are just sitting waiting for coroner's matters, they have other cases ahead of coroners matters- a dedicated coroner sped up the hearing of coroners matters. This is a dark day for us - because we've punished a bahamian professional in the local and international domain. I say shame on them all. So what does Virgill do now? is she a just a magistrate hearing all other matters - i mean what's her mandate after this! This was handled badly and is a testament to our disdain for each other

I say good riddance to a person who abused her position. She presided over matters with an overly "suspicious" eye due her personal loss. And she has now obviously let the power of the position go to her head.

I think the policy of designating a specific Coroner should remain just for efficiency sake. But, the person selected should only hold the position for a specific period of time, to avoid future power trips and the influence of personal beliefs.

the news media is really laughing at us now ...

the news media is really laughing at us now ...


I laughed when she introduced her staff at the recent press conference!

I laughed when she introduced her staff at the recent press conference!

I missed that .. man i was waiting for it but ZNS was just too depressing .. anyone got that recorded ..?

Actually this move slows down the system rather than speed it up. Magistrates are just sitting waiting for coroner's matters, they have other cases ahead of coroners matters- a dedicated coroner sped up the hearing of coroners matters. This is a dark day for us - because we've punished a bahamian professional in the local and international domain. I say shame on them all. So what does Virgill do now? is she a just a magistrate hearing all other matters - i mean what's her mandate after this! This was handled badly and is a testament to our disdain for each other


Oh...well I guess this means this move was simply based on them firing her...seems heavy handed to me

Oh...well I guess this means this move was simply based on them firing her...seems heavy handed to me



PLAIN AND SIMPLY

Oh...well I guess this means this move was simply based on them firing her...seems heavy handed to me


Mrs. Virgill’s HEAVY-HANDEDNESS and abuse of power was happening long before this Anna Nicole situation. It took international press exposure for people to realize that she was out of control. How can an inquest be called without due process? Seems like she made up her mind about what happened long before complete medical evidence was presented. That is not behavior befitting a Coroner.

In my view the punishment fits the crime. However, like always this current administration has fumbled the ball again by completely reversing a good policy. The policy just needs a little tweaking, not all and out abolishment. I guess like another poster implied when they talked about the former Registrar General Elizabeth Thompson, wherever Hon. Maynard-Gibson goes hasty decisions and drama will be sure to follow.

Interesting article by JESSICA ROBERTSON, Associated Press Writer.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060921/ap_en_tv/anna_nicole_smith_son

Power has definately gone to her head and now she is STRIPPED!!!
She has always been a bit unorthodox. She takes things upon herself without proper order and procedures.

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't it proper protocol for the Coroner to release the findings to the Commissoner of Police who in turn informs the Attorney General and from there it is decided if an inquest is required???? Instead, Linda Virgil SETS a DATE and TIME and announces it to the world via press conference!!!! Throughout that ZNS conference I kept thinking to myself "what is she doing??? who does she think she is????"