Crime & Safety
Prelim Hearing for Albany Murder Suspect Delayed Again
The preliminary hearing for Albany resident Diane Sydenham, accused of murdering a retired Kensington psychologist with a knife to the heart, had been reset for Tuesday but has been delayed again because of continuing investigation.
A preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday in the case against Diane Sydenham of Albany, accused of murdering Kensington resident James Durkin with a steak knife to the heart, has been delayed again.
Anne Beles, an attorney for the defendant, said during a brief hearing in the Richmond courthouse of Contra Costa County Superior Court that "ongoing investigations" prompted the need for a delay.
A new hearing was scheduled for June 27 at 1:30 a.m. to reset the date for the preliminary hearing.
Sydenham, 57, has been charged with murdering Durkin, 81, in his in-law unit in a home in the 600 block of Coventry Road in Kensington. His body was found with a steak knife stuck in his chest on Aug. 13, authorities said. She pleaded not guilty at a Sept. 20 hearing.
Sydenham, who is being held on $2 million bail, was brought into court in a green jumpsuit with her wrists handcuffed to a chain around her waist.
Her preliminary hearing was earlier set for April 4 but was postponed because of scheduling conflicts and reset for Tuesday.
Beles her father Robert Beles, who also appeared in court Tuesday, are representing Syndenham. Dominique Yancey appeared for the District Attorney's office.
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