The Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday referred Guatemalan murder accused Diego Novella for 30 days’ psychiatric observation.
Novella is accused of murdering his US marketing executive girlfriend, Gabriela Alban, while on holiday in Cape Town last month.
The two were staying at a boutique hotel in Camps Bay and it has been widely reported that the murder was preceded by a drug-fuelled sex session. These reports have not been confirmed.
Novella comes from a wealthy Guatemalan family.
Earlier yesterday, defence advocate William Booth recommended that his client be referred to Valkenberg psychiatric hospital immediately.
The defence has engaged its own psychiatrist and handed in an interim report to the court. The media was ordered not to report on its contents.
Novella will remain in the hospital section of Pollsmoor Prison until his transfer. The case was postponed until September 30. – ANA