Paper committal proceedings in the MV Barima murder case are expected to begin on November 16, after prosecutors disclosed their evidence to lawyers representing three Transport and Harbours Department employees charged in connection with the tragedy.
The matter was called on Monday before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. Prosecutor Mandel Moore told the court that the prosecution had completed disclosure of the evidence and other material gathered in the case.
The 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.
The three men appeared virtually by Zoom. After disclosure, the defence requested time to review the material and decide whether to file statements on behalf of the accused.
Magistrate Mohabir granted the request and gave the defence until September 14, 2026, to indicate whether it intends to file statements.
Should statements be filed, the defence will have 45 days to do so. October 19, 2026, has been set as the deadline for those filings.
The court also granted permission for Prosecutor Moore to appear virtually when the case is called again on September 14. The three accused were further remanded to prison.
Price and Granderson were represented by a defence team led by Dr. Dexter Todd, along with attorney Dexter Smartt. Attorney Everton Lammy-Singh appeared for Roberts.
The men were jointly charged following 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 passengers aboard the MV Barima after the vessel capsized about 9.3 nautical miles off Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast.
The MV Barima, an 87-year-old ferry built in 1939, was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma when it overturned in what has been described as Guyana’s worst maritime disaster.
There were 179 persons aboard the vessel, including 18 crew members. Seventy-three people died, approximately 30 remain unaccounted for and 76 survived.
A day after the tragedy, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips disclosed that two crew members, including the captain, had tested positive for narcotics.
Phillips has since said the accused continue to receive psychosocial support.
The Government has also established a five-member Commission of Inquiry to examine the disaster. The inquiry is expected to consider 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 unknown persons, which is understood to include those still missing and presumed dead.
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 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.
