(Kaieteur News) – The 72 murder charges instituted against the captain and two crew members of the ill-fated MV Barima have drawn sharp criticisms from members of the local legal fraternity, who are contending that charging the trio with murder raises serious legal concerns and could possibly undermine the Commission of Inquiry (COI) established to investigate Guyana’s deadliest maritime disaster.

After appearing in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for Captain Kevin Price, known as “KP”, Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson, defence attorney Dexter Todd told reporters that he believes the charges stemming from the 18th July MV Barima tragedy, which left more than 70 people confirmed dead and at least 30 others still missing at sea, should have been preceded by the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recently established by President Irfaan Ali.

“The police have done what the commission of inquiry is supposed to do and they have already come to a definitive conclusion on this matter,” Todd said.