MV Barima tragedy CoI will not affect prosecution of murder charges against T&HD workers – DPP

What this source establishes

CRITICAL: this appears to be the DPP's press statement reproduced at near-full length, and it contains NO reference to the vessel's navigational or safety systems being defective. It therefore does not corroborate the Demerara Waves lead. Verbatim from the statement: "the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions reviewed a file in relation to the MV Barima tragedy of the investigations done by the Guyana Police Force in relation thereto, and duly advised the institution of the charges of murder against the Captain of the vessel Kevin Price, Chief Mate, Rondel Dwayne Roberts, and the Goods Superintendent of.

Key claims

• CRITICAL: this appears to be the DPP's press statement reproduced at near-full length, and it contains NO reference to the vessel's navigational or safety systems being defective. It therefore does not corroborate the Demerara Waves lead.
• Verbatim from the statement: "the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions reviewed a file in relation to the MV Barima tragedy of the investigations done by the Guyana Police Force in relation thereto, and duly advised the institution of the charges of murder against the Captain of the vessel Kevin Price, Chief Mate, Rondel Dwayne Roberts, and the Goods Superintendent of Transport and Harbours Department, Delon Granderson."
• "The decision to do so was based upon careful consideration of the evidence presented, the relevant principles of law involved, case law authorities from the United Kingdom, Commonwealth jurisdictions, the European Court of Human Rights, and public policy considerations." — identical wording to that quoted by Demerara Waves, confirming both outlets worked from the same release.
• "The DPP states: 'the business of this Commission of Inquiry will not affect the prosecution of the charge instituted; they can proceed simultaneously as was done in the cases of the piracy charges in the Berbice matter in 2018, and the fraud charges in the 2020 Regional and General Elections.'"
• "Given the unprecedented magnitude of this matter, coupled with public interest factors, the prosecution will be conducted with due consideration of the work of the Commission of Inquiry."
• Sets out the Article 187 independence provision and the DPP's power "to institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person before any court, of any offence against the laws of Guyana."
• States no count of charges. Refers throughout to "the charge" in the singular.
• Renders the chief mate's forename as "Rondel" (one 'l'), against "Rondell" elsewhere.

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