The prosecution in the murder case arising from the MV Barima tragedy has been granted additional time to complete disclosure of evidence to the defence.

The matter came up on Monday before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) where Senior Police Legal Advisor Mandel Moore informed the court that only partial disclosure had been served on the defence. Appearing virtually from prison while handcuffed were Kevin Price, called “KP”, captain of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD), 40; Rondell Dwayne Roberts, 42, chief mate of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Delon Granderson, the 33-year-old goods superintendent of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara (WCD). The prosecutor informed the court that, although he had obtained the fiat to proceed with the murder prosecution, additional time was needed to complete disclosure of the prosecution’s evidence, including witness statements and documentary exhibits. The Magistrate subsequently adjourned the proceedings to September 7. As such all three of the accused were further remanded to prison. When the matter resumes, the prosecution is expected to indicate that disclosure has been completed, paving the way for paper committal proceedings.

During that stage, the Magistrate will determine, based on the prosecution’s written evidence rather than oral testimony, whether there is sufficient evidence to commit the accused to stand trial before a judge and jury in the High Court. Appearing for Price and Granderson was a defence team led by Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd and comprising Attorneys Dexter Smartt, Keona Higgins, Eden Corbin and Angel Stephens. Roberts was represented by Attorney-at-law Everton Singh-Lammy. The three men were jointly charged following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in connection with the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima, Guyana’s worst maritime disaster. The charge alleges that the three accused murdered 68 named victims and other persons unknown at a point 9.3 nautical miles on a bearing of 040 degrees off the Essequibo Coast at Devonshire Castle on July 18, 2026, when the MV Barima capsized during its voyage. The charge identifies the victims as 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, Leonard Persaud, Mariam Bernard, Ravindra Singh, Shivana LaCruz Ramsindo, Christiani Rodrigues, Annalisa Murray and Owen Arthur.