Attorney-at-law and Member of Parliament James Bond has thrown his support behind the decision to charge three crew members over the MV Barima tragedy, saying accountability must be determined through the legal process rather than public opinion.
Speaking on Thursday, Bond acknowledged that some members of the public may disagree with the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) decision but stressed that the courts are the appropriate place to challenge it.
“The law is the law. Whether we try to bring emotions into it, the law is the law, and there has to be responsibility; there has to be culpability for actions,” Bond said.
The three men charged are Captain Kevin Price, 40, also known as “KP,” of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara; Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, 42, of Meadow Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara; and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson, 33, of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara. They have all been remanded to prison on multiple murder charges arising from the sinking of the MV Barima.
Bond said the scale of the tragedy demands accountability and maintained that those responsible must answer for their actions.
Asked whether Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar should also be held accountable, Bond said that issue should be determined by the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (COI), which is examining the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
He said the inquiry will reveal whether responsibility extends beyond those already before the court, adding that justice must be allowed to take its course.
Bond also encouraged the three accused to consider explaining what occurred during the vessel’s final voyage. While acknowledging that they have a constitutional right to remain silent, he said their accounts could help shed light on the events that led to the tragedy.
