It is alleged that the boat captain was Edourre. Photo: VINO

Plasimond is said to have organised the trip. Photo: VINO

Renold Plasimond and Roro Edourre made a court appearance on Monday October 31, 2011 where the defense and Crown agreed to cement the date. The men are charged with eight counts of manslaughter, smuggling of migrants and unsafe conveyance.

Edourre was the alleged captain of the vessel at the center of the tragedy that occurred on Sunday December 5, 2010 when a fibre glass boat ran aground in the vicinity of Brandywine Bay. The aftermath of the accident left eight dead, four of whom were children.

According to the Crown, the vessel named ‘Jesus LA’ departed from St. Maarten and was en route to the US Virgin Islands. However, after being spotted by US Coast Guards, the vessel sped off to Tortola.

Twenty-five individuals were rescued and were eventually repatriated to their respective countries.

Meanwhile, Plasimond was been fingered as the alleged conspirator in the human smuggling operation.

Both men will be represented at trial.