The murder case against three Transport and Harbours Department employees charged in connection with the deadly MV Barima tragedy has been adjourned to September 7, as prosecutors seek additional time to complete the disclosure of evidence to the defence.
The matter was called on Monday before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court, where Senior Police Legal Advisor Mandel Moore told the court that only partial disclosure had so far been provided.
Moore, who informed the court that he had obtained the fiat to prosecute the matter, requested more time to serve the remaining evidence, including witness statements and other documentary material.
The three accused are Kevin Price, called “KP,” a 40-year-old captain of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara; Rondell Dwayne Roberts, a 42-year-old chief mate of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara; and Delon Granderson, a 33-year-old goods superintendent of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara.
They appeared virtually from prison. Price and Granderson are being represented by a defence team led by Dr. Dexter Todd, along with attorneys Dexter Smartt, Keona Higgins, Eden Corbin and Angel Stephens. Roberts is being represented by attorney-at-law Everton Singh-Lammy.
The prosecution is expected to complete disclosure when the matter returns to court on September 7.
The three men were jointly charged following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions. They first appeared before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on July 28, where they were not required to plead to the indictable murder charge and were remanded to prison.
The matter was later transferred to the Charity Magistrate’s Court.
Police allege that on July 18, 2026, the three men murdered several passengers aboard the MV Barima after the vessel capsized approximately 9.3 nautical miles off Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast.
The MV Barima, an 87-year-old ferry built in 1939, overturned while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma in what has been described as Guyana’s worst maritime disaster.
Authorities have said 73 persons died, while about 30 others remain missing. Seventy-seven persons were reportedly rescued, though one survivor later died.
One day after the tragedy, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips disclosed that two crew members, including the vessel’s captain, had tested positive for marijuana.
The Government has since established a five-member Commission of Inquiry to examine the disaster. The inquiry is expected to review the circumstances leading to the sinking, regulatory oversight, the emergency response and recommendations to prevent a similar tragedy.
The murder charge lists 68 identified victims, along with other persons unknown.
Those named include 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 charge also names Justin Mury, Odessa Mury, Reshana David, Kishana Sam, Tiona Sam, Elizabeth Bowin, Argany Williams, Omarions Europe, Jacob Jerome, Mark Abrams, Ashleena Bovell and Kyle Thomas, among others.
