Camps Bay murder accused due in court

Members of Gabriela's family are escorted from the Cape Town Magistrate's Court to a waiting vehicle. Picture: Willem law

Members of Gabriela's family are escorted from the Cape Town Magistrate's Court to a waiting vehicle. Picture: Willem law

Published Nov 29, 2015

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Guatemalan murder accused Diego Novella is due back in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with the murder of his US girlfriend, marketing executive Gabriella Kabrins Alban, for his third court appearance since he was referred to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital for observation.

At each of his appearances since his referral, the court has heard that there are no beds available at Valkenberg, and that Novella is on a lengthy waiting list.

On August 31, the magistrate’s court referred him for 30 days of psychiatric observation at the request of his defence attorney, William Booth.

The defence consulted psychiatrist Professor Tuviah Zabow and provided the court with an interim report, before requesting his urgent referral.

The defence has not publicly disclosed its reasons for referring Novella for observation.

Novella was arrested in July after Alban’s body was found in a room, which the two had shared, at a boutique hotel in Camps Bay.

Sunday Argus

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