MV Barima murder case adjourned as prosecution given time to complete evidence disclosure

The murder case against three Transport and Harbours Department employees charged over the deadly MV Barima tragedy has been adjourned until September 7.

The matter came up on Monday before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court, where Senior Police Legal Advisor Mandel Moore requested additional time to complete disclosure of the prosecution’s evidence to the defence.

Moore told the court that he had secured the fiat authorising the prosecution but said witness statements and documentary evidence had not yet been fully disclosed.

The three accused—Captain Kevin Price, Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson—appeared virtually from prison while handcuffed and were further remanded into custody.

As the joint murder charge is indictable, the accused were not required to enter a plea. They were represented by separate defence attorneys during the proceedings.

When the matter resumes, the prosecution is expected to complete disclosure, paving the way for paper committal proceedings, during which the magistrate will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send the case to the High Court for trial.

The three men were jointly charged with murder following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions in connection with the July 18, 2026, sinking of the 87-year-old MV Barima. Police allege they murdered 68 named victims and other persons unknown when the passenger and cargo ferry capsized approximately 9.3 nautical miles off the Essequibo Coast near Devonshire Castle.
The vessel had departed the Kingston Goods Wharf in Georgetown for Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini) carrying 179 passengers and crew, along with cargo.

The disaster claimed 73 lives, while 76 people survived and about 30 others remain missing.
Meanwhile, a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) established by President Dr. Irfaan Ali is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, has said the CoI’s work will not affect the criminal case, stressing that both proceedings can continue simultaneously.