NewzGEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Three people, including the captain of the ill-fated MV Barima that sank on July 18, killing more than 100 people, appeared in court on Monday, but the matter was adjourned to September 14. The three, Kevin Price, the 40-year-old captain of the vessel; chief mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts 42; and goods superintendent, 33-year-old Delon Granderson, were further remanded to prison on Monday, as the court set November 16 for the start of the paper committal proceedings, a preliminary court process. The three accused men made a virtual appearance before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court and were told that the prosecution had completed full disclosure of its case to the defence.
Senior police legal advisor and attorney, Mandel Moore, told the court that all evidence and material information gathered by the state had been disclosed, with the defence then requesting 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. The men have been charged with multiple counts of murder following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC. The 87-year-old MV Barima capsized on July 18, 2026, as it made its way from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, a small village within the Barima-Waini administrative region of the country.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips has told a news conference that despite the official manifest indicating that 116 passengers and a crew of 17 had been on board the vessel, the authorities believe that 179 people, including the crew members, were on the vessel when it capsized after being hit by a large wave.
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