The three Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) employees accused of murdering passengers in the deadly MV Barima tragedy were further remanded to prison on Monday, as the court set November 16 for the start of paper committal proceedings.
A paper committal is a preliminary court process used in serious criminal cases, such as murder, to determine whether the case should be sent to the High Court for trial.
Charged were the 40-year-old captain Kevin Price of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD); chief mate 42-year-old Rondell Dwayne Roberts of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD); and goods superintendent, 33-year-old Delon Granderson of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
On Monday, the three accused made a virtual appearance before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.
Their further remand followed the prosecution’s confirmation that it had completed full disclosure of its case to the defence.
Senior Police Legal Advisor and attorney-at-law Mandel Moore, who is prosecuting the case, informed the court that all evidence and material information gathered by the State had been disclosed.
The defence then requested seven days to review the material and determine whether statements would be filed on behalf of the accused.
Magistrate Mohabir granted the request and gave the defence until September 14 to indicate whether it intends to file statements.
Should the defence choose to do so, the statements must be filed within 45 days, with October 19 set as the deadline.
The matter will return to court on September 14, when the men are expected to remain further remanded.
Attorney-at-law Dr. Dexter Todd heads the legal team representing Price and Granderson, with attorney Dexter Smartt also appearing for the two men.
Roberts is represented separately by attorney Everton Lammy-Singh.
The men were jointly slapped with multiple counts of murder following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC. The MV Barima capsized on July 18, 2026, approximately 9.3 nautical miles off Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast.
The 87-year-old ferry was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma when it overturned.
A total of 179 people, including 18 crew members, were onboard. Seventy-three people died, approximately 30 remain unaccounted for, while 76 survived the disaster.
One day after the disaster, two crew members, including the captain, had reportedly tested positive for using cannabis.
Meanwhile, the Government has established a five-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to, among other things, examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, including regulatory oversight and the emergency response.
The COI is expected to commence shortly as it continues to await information regarding the incident.
Meanwhile, the DPP has made it clear that the criminal proceedings will not be affected by the CoI, noting the two processes can proceed simultaneously.
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