–Magistrate intends to conclude paper committal proceedings by end of November
Defence attorney Dr. Dexter Todd on Monday signalled his intention to seek a stay of the murder proceedings against his clients, Kevin Price and Delon Granderson, two of the three Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) employees charged in connection with the deadly MV Barima tragedy.
Todd told Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court that the defence intends to file preliminary arguments in support of the stay, which will be grounded primarily on an alleged abuse of process.
He said the defence plans to submit written arguments on September 28, contending that the circumstances surrounding the case involve “special matters” that fall within the parameters of marine casualty investigations.
According to Todd, his clients have not been able to benefit from or be guided by those investigations, which he said are governed by law.
He argued that the accused must be protected under the law and indicated that the application for a stay could be based on several grounds for the court’s consideration.
Todd further told the court that, depending on the magistrate’s consideration of the submissions, the defence may pursue other avenues to develop the issue within Guyana’s jurisprudence.
He said the defence intends to rely on legislation and a number of authorities dealing with marine casualty investigations.
Todd is appearing for Price and Granderson alongside attorneys Eden Corbin and Suzanne Bullen.
It was not immediately clear whether counsel representing the third accused, Rondell Dwayne Roberts, would join the proposed stay application.
Prosecutor Mandel Moore is expected to respond to the defence’s submissions by October 12, after which Magistrate Mohabir indicated that he would issue his ruling on the stay application on October 19.
The development came as the court also received confirmation that statements will be filed on behalf of the accused.
Attorney Everton Lammy-Singh, who represents Roberts, told the court that the defence intends to file statements, although that position could change.
He assured the court, however, that the statements would be filed by the requisite date.
Attorney Corbin similarly indicated that the necessary filings would be made on the dates fixed by the court and that some statements would be filed by October 19.
Magistrate Mohabir made it clear that no extension would be granted for the filing of statements, with October 19 remaining the deadline.
The court further confirmed that the paper committal proceedings will commence on November 16.
Magistrate Mohabir said he intends to have the paper committal concluded by the end of November.
The three accused were consequently further remanded to prison until October 19.
Price, called “KP”, is a 40-year-old captain of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara; Roberts, 42, is a chief mate of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara; and Granderson, 33, is a goods superintendent of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara.
The men were jointly charged with murder following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The development comes against the backdrop of confirmation that two crew members, including the vessel’s captain, tested positive for marijuana following the tragedy.
The Government has also established a five-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to examine the circumstances surrounding the disaster, including the vessel’s sinking, regulatory oversight, the emergency response and measures to prevent a recurrence.
Police alleged that on July 18, 2026, the three men murdered passengers aboard the MV Barima after the vessel capsized approximately 9.3 nautical miles off Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast.
The 87-year-old ferry, which was built in 1939, was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma when it overturned in what has become Guyana’s worst maritime disaster.
A total of 179 people, including 18 crew members, were aboard the vessel. Seventy-three people died, approximately 30 remain unaccounted for, and 76 survived.
The murder charge lists 68 identified victims, along with persons unknown, understood to account for those who remain missing and are presumed to have died.
Those named in the charge are Kevin Wilson, Claymont King, Oxwell John, Roma Mendonca, Nathaniel Matabheek, Nathalia Matabheek, Rachel Wells Matabheek, Ezekiel Matabheek, Cheriannys Valenzuela, Orin Clarke, Edith Gordon, Omar Harris, Paul Seapersaud, Andriel Bautista, Youlanda Marks, Gwenette Marks, Shenira Smith, Cleiveliz Fraser, Vivianna Saddurddin, Argelys Kelly Williams, Devon Mars, Robina Hernandez, Tendhi Stanford, Adans Williams, Ranaldo Poon, Aarave Daniels, Marcia Beharry and Leonard Persaud.
Also listed are Mariam Bernard, Ravindra Singh, Shivana LaCruz Ramsindo, Christiani Rodrigues, Annalisa Murray, Owen Arthur, Loveisa Bovell, Joshua Arthur, Ranaldo Pickering, Bibi Mohamed, Sylvester Peters, Shawn John, Akelah Rodrigues, Vishawn Ramjattan, Nelly Duesberry, Samara Manoharlall, Sherlon Joseph, Timar Manoharlall, Dellon Gaskin, Percy France, Alicia Atkinson, Dwyane Forbes, Orin Europe and Orwin Europe.
The remaining victims named in the charge are Justin Mury, Odessa Mury, Reshana David, Kishana Sam, Tiona Sam, Elizabeth Bowin, Argany Williams, Omarions Europe, Jacob Jerome, Mark Abrams, Ashleena Bovell, Kyle Thomas, Carlton Bennett, Navessa Bovell, Martin Ishmael and Jason Headley.
