Defence attorney Dexter Todd warned yesterday that delays in raising the MV Barima could prolong the murder proceedings against his clients, saying an examination of the wreck was central to determining what happened when the vessel sank on July 18.
Todd, who represents captain Kevin Price and goods superintendent Delon Granderson, told an APNU/PNCR press conference that the vessel should have been recovered much sooner. He maintained that his clients should never have been charged and said further delays in recovering evidence from the wreck could keep their case before the courts longer.
“The real evidence and the assessment is on that boat,” Todd said. He said the Commission of Inquiry was slated to resume on November 10 and argued that an inspection of the vessel could provide evidence beyond what witnesses could tell the commissioners.
Asked whether he had been informed that salvage work had begun, Todd did not directly say whether he had received notice. He said he had seen reports questioning whether the equipment and setup were suited to the operation. He also questioned the contractor’s selection and said an independent operator should have been chosen through an international bidding process.
Kiskadee Watch previously reported that three firms, including a Dutch company, bid for the salvage contract. BK International was awarded the $1.034 billion contract to recover the wreck off Devonshire Castle Flats, Essequibo Coast. The published award listed no recovery deadline.
Forward Guyana Movement leader Amanza Walton-Desir this week called for an independent review of the salvage operation after Venezuelan diver Luis Martinez died at the wreck site on October 28. She raised questions about safety, preservation of evidence and whether relatives, survivors and defence attorneys had been informed before work began. Relatives have said they will continue protesting until the vessel is brought to the surface.
Price, Granderson and chief mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts face murder charges in connection with the sinking. Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir rejected a defence bid to halt the case while the Commission of Inquiry was underway. Paper committal proceedings are scheduled to begin on November 16.
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