MV Barima crew members further remanded as full disclosure set for September 7

The captain and two other crew members charged with murder in connection with the deadly MV Barima tragedy were further remanded to prison on Monday. The case was called before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. The accused: 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 Meadow Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara; and Delon Granderson, a 33-year-old goods superintendent of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara appeared via zoom. The courtroom was filled with relatives of the accused. Price and Granderson were represented by attorney Dexter Smartt along with a team of lawyers, including Dexter Todd. Attorney Everton Lammy-Singh appeared for Roberts. During the proceedings, Prosecutor Mandel Moore informed the court that he is now in possession of a fiat, the written authorisation permitting him to prosecute the matter. Some of the victims of the MV Barima tragedy The magistrate informed the court that the prosecution has provided partial disclosure to the defence. Partial disclosure means that only some of the prosecution’s evidence, witness statements and documents have been handed over. Moore requested that the matter be adjourned to August 31 to facilitate full disclosure. The Charity Magistrate’s Court only sits on Mondays. As such, the magistrate said that he would have to adjourned the matter to the next available date which is September 7. The matter was therefore adjourned to September 7, when the prosecution is expected to provide full disclosure. This will see the prosecutor sharing all relevant evidence, witness statements and other evidence intended to be relied upon during the case with the defence. The three men have been charged with the murders of the victims of the MV Barima tragedy, which occurred on July 18, 2026. The disaster claimed the lives of 73 people, while another 30 remain unaccounted for. Seventy-six passengers survived. A day after the vessel sank, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips disclosed that two crew members, including the captain, tested positive for narcotics. The Prime Minister has since said that the accused continue to receive psychosocial support. Police Headquarters previously stated that the murder charges were instituted following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.