MAGISTRATE Ravindra Mohabir, on Monday, adjourned the murder case against three Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) employees charged in connection with the deadly MV Barima disaster until September 7 after the prosecutor requested more time to complete disclosure of evidence to the defence.
The matter was called on Monday before Magistrate Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court, where Senior Police Legal Advisor Mandel Moore advised that the prosecution had not yet completed the disclosure process, having served only part of the evidence on the defence.
Moore also informed the court that he had secured the fiat authorising him to prosecute the indictable murder case.
According to the prosecution, additional time is needed to complete the disclosure of witness statements, documentary evidence and other material intended to be relied upon during the proceedings.
The case was subsequently adjourned until September 7, when the prosecution is expected to provide full disclosure.
The three accused appeared virtually from prison while handcuffed.
They are Kevin Price, called “KP”, a 40-year-old captain of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD); Rondell Dwayne Roberts, a 42-year-old chief mate of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD); and Delon Granderson, 33, a goods superintendent of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
A day after the vessel capsized, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips disclosed that two crew members, including the captain, had tested positive for marijuana. He has since said the accused continue to receive psychosocial support while the criminal proceedings are ongoing.
Attorney Dr. Dexter Todd led the defence team representing Price and Granderson, alongside attorneys Dexter Smartt, Keona Higgins, Eden Corbin and Angel Stephens. Roberts was represented by attorney-at-law Everton Singh-Lammy.
The three men were jointly charged following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
They first appeared before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on July 28, where they were jointly charged with murder contrary to common law. They were not required to plead to the indictable offence and were remanded to prison before the matter was transferred to the Charity Magistrate’s Court.
Police allege that on July 18, 2026, at a location 9.3 nautical miles, bearing 040 degrees, off the Essequibo Coast near Devonshire Castle, the three men murdered 68 named victims and other persons unknown.
Those named in the charge are Kevin Wilson, Claymont King, Oxwell John, Roma Mendonca, Nathaniel Matabheek, Nathalia Matabheek, Rachel Wells Matabheek, Ezekiel Matabheek, Cheriannys Valenzuela, Orin Clarke, Edith Gordon, Omar Harris, Paul Seapersaud, Andriel Bautista, Youlanda Marks, Gwenette Marks, Shenira Smith, Cleiveliz Fraser, Vivianna Saddurddin, Argelys Kelly Williams, Devon Mars, Robina Hernandez, Tendhi Stanford, Adans Williams, Ranaldo Poon, Aarave Daniels, Marcia Beharry and Leonard Persaud.
Also listed are Mariam Bernard, Ravindra Singh, Shivana LaCruz Ramsindo, Christiani Rodrigues, Annalisa Murray, Owen Arthur, Loveisa Bovell, Joshua Arthur, Ranaldo Pickering, Bibi Mohamed, Sylvester Peters, Shawn John, Akelah Rodrigues, Vishawn Ramjattan, Nelly Duesberry, Samara Manoharlall, Sherlon Joseph, Timar Manoharlall, Dellon Gaskin, Percy France, Alicia Atkinson, Dwyane Forbes, Orin Europe and Orwin Europe.
The remaining victims named in the charge are Justin Mury, Odessa Mury, Reshana David, Kishana Sam, Tiona Sam, Elizabeth Bowin, Argany Williams, Omarions Europe, Jacob Jerome, Mark Abrams, Ashleena Bovell, Kyle Thomas, Carlton Bennett, Navessa Bovell, Martin Ishmael and Jason Headley, along with other persons unknown.
The charges stem from what has been described as Guyana’s deadliest maritime disaster.
The MV Barima capsized while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), on the night of July 18. The passenger and cargo ferry was carrying an estimated 179 passengers and crew when it overturned.
Many passengers were thrown into the Atlantic Ocean while others became trapped inside the vessel as it sank.
The disaster claimed 73 lives, while 76 passengers survived. Authorities have said about 30 persons remain unaccounted for.
The sinking triggered Guyana’s largest maritime search, rescue and recovery operation, involving the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, Guyana Police Force, Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Guyana Fire Service, Civil Defence Commission, local fishermen, private vessels and international partners.
Search teams combed hundreds of square nautical miles and divers conducted repeated underwater searches in an effort to recover victims trapped inside the wreck.
The tragedy also prompted the Government to establish a five-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI), which has been tasked with determining the circumstances surrounding the sinking, examining the vessel’s seaworthiness, assessing regulatory oversight, reviewing the emergency response and recommending reforms to improve maritime safety.
When the matter resumes on September 7, the prosecution is expected to confirm that disclosure has been completed, paving the way for paper committal proceedings.
Under that process, the magistrate will decide, based on the prosecution’s written evidence rather than live witness testimony, whether there is sufficient evidence to commit the three accused to stand trial in the High Court.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, has made it clear that the criminal proceedings arising from the MV Barima tragedy will not be affected by the establishment of the CoI, stating that both processes can proceed simultaneously.
