Radhica De Silva
The man accused of killing Gabriella Du Barry at her Fyzabad home last Thursday has been sent for a psychiatric evaluation at the St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital.
Vishal Birju, a PH driver of Pepper Village, Fyzabad, appeared before Magistrate Ava Vandenberg-Bailey in the Siparia Magistrates' Court this morning.
Du Barry was murdered on January 9
Birju, 30 wearing a blue shirt, jeans and a white pair of sneakers, continually kept rocking from front to back as he waited for his matter to be heard.
This prompted court prosecutor Starr Jacob to ask why he was shaking.
His attorney, Nazima Ali, said he was in need of a psychological assessment. She said he required medication and a proper medical examination.
Jacob consulted with the complainant Cpl Harripersad. She told Magistrate Vandenberg-Bailey that Birju showed no signs of "medical capabilities" during his incarceration.
"He was quite coherent during the enquiries," she added.
However, she said the prosecution had no problems with Birju undergoing a medical examination.
Vandenberg-Bailey ordered Birju to be taken for an assessment at the St Ann’s Hospital.
He was ordered to reappear in court on January 28.
Du Barry was the mother of a seven-year-old boy.
Police said before she was murdered she had reported domestic violence incidents to the Fyzabad police.
Gabriella Du Barry was cremated last Sunday.