Renowned Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes strongly criticised the institution of murder charges against the captain and crew of the MV Barima.
Hughes, in a statement, characterized these charges as “a most perverse attempt at distraction,” raising concerns about the legal and procedural implications of such serious accusations.
Hughes said that a charge of murder fundamentally requires proof that the accused had the intention to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.
“The accused having being charged with murder, would not be able to testify before the COI as any testimony at the COI can be used against them at the criminal trial. Hence they will remain silent,” Hughes said.
He further speculated on the possible motivations behind these charges, suggesting that they might be aimed at preventing the accused from testifying before the Commission of Inquiry (COI). Since testimony given at the COI can potentially be used against the accused in a criminal trial, Hughes posited that the charges might be a strategic move to silence key witnesses.
He warned that the institution of murder charges in this context could serve to compound the injustices faced by those affected, transforming a tragic incident into a tool for further suppression of truth.
“Perhaps we have the unique ability to compound what is a tragedy of epic proportions into additional manifest injustice by the institution of murder charges thereby silencing key witnesses before the COI, ” Hughes stated.
Those charged are Kevin Price, called “KP”, a 40-year-old Captain of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara; Rondell Dwayne Roberts, a 42-year-old Chief Mate of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara and Delon Granderson, a 33-year-old Goods Superintendent of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara.
