Crime & Safety
Insanity Plea by Albany Woman in Kensington Murder Case
Diane Sydenham of Albany has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the fatal knifing last year of retired Kensington psychologist James Durkin in his residence. She's due back in court for a medical hearing on Jan. 17.
The Albany woman accused of murdering a retired Kensington psychologist with a steak knife to the heart has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's office.
Diane Sydenham, 57, has been charged with murdering James Durkin, 81, in his in-law unit in a home in the 600 block of Coventry Road in Kensington. His body was found in his blood-spattered apartment with a knife stuck in his heart in August last year, authorities said.
Her plea was entered in hearing in Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez on Friday, according to the district attorney's office.
Prosecution witnesses testified at Sydenham's preliminary hearing on Aug. 28 this year that Sydenham, who had a relationship with the victim, had been overheard in the victim's apartment around the time of the murder and that his DNA matched blood found on Sydenham's shoes at the time of her arrest.
At that hearing, Judge Patricia Scalon ruled that a "strong suspicion" exists of Sydenham's culpability and that she must face trial for murder.
A medical hearing has been set for Jan. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in the Martinez courthouse, according to the district attorney's office.
Patch has requested comment from the defendant's attorneys, Robert Beles and Anne Beles.
Sydenham has been jailed on $2 million bail since last year.
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