Guyana Case Against MV Barima Captain And Crew Adjourned To September 7th 

News Americas, GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Mon. Aug. 3, 2026: The murder case against the captain and two crew members of the MV Barima has been adjourned to September 7th, after a Guyanese magistrate ruled the Charity Magistrate’s Court’s limited sitting schedule left no earlier date available for the prosecution to complete disclosure to the defense.

Captain Kevin “KP” Price, 40, Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, 42, and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson, 33, appeared by Zoom before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. The three are jointly charged with 72 counts of murder in connection with the July 18 sinking that killed at least 72 people, with more than 30 others still missing and presumed dead.

Prosecutor Mandel Moore told the court he now holds a fiat, the formal written authorization required to prosecute the matter, and confirmed partial disclosure had already been provided to the defense. Moore requested an adjournment to August 31 to complete full disclosure, but the magistrate noted the Charity Magistrate’s Court only sits on Mondays, pushing the next available date to September 7.

Price and Granderson are represented by attorney Dexter Smartt, alongside a legal team that includes Dexter Todd. Attorney Everton Lammy-Singh represents Roberts.

Defense lawyers, legal commentators, and the political opposition have criticized the decision to file murder charges before the search for the missing has concluded and before the international Commission of Inquiry has begun its work. Police have maintained the charges followed legal advice from Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack, who has said her recommendation was based on the evidence presented, relevant principles of law, and case law authorities drawn from the United Kingdom, Commonwealth jurisdictions, and the European Court of Human Rights, along with public policy considerations.

On Sunday night, family members, friends, and residents gathered outside Roberts’ home in Grove, East Bank Demerara, in a solidarity protest arguing the murder charges were used to shield senior government officials from accountability. Demonstrators carried placards reading “Transparency and accountability,” “Free Rondell, Dellon and Kevin,” and “Justice for these three men. Families need closure.”

One protester voiced support for the government’s decision to proceed with salvaging the MV Barima rather than converting the wreck site, roughly nine miles offshore, into a memorial, arguing physical evidence from the vessel itself is needed before the case, and the broader investigation, can move forward.

The opposition WIN party has called for a protest on Tuesday, August 4, at 9:00 a.m. in front of Watooka House, Linden.

NewsAmericasNow will continue following the case as it proceeds toward its September 7 hearing.