FEAR NOT

family’s trust fund and has never been employed, claimed he had been in an abnormal mental state after he took hallucinogenic substances.

His defence has argued that as a result of his psychotic-like state, he had diminished criminal capacity.

Yesterday, Booth told the court that the distressed mental state his client displayed on Monday had not improved, despite the district surgeon increasing the dosage of his medication.

“I am not sure what he meant by what he said yesterday and it is an aspect that needs sorting out. From a legal aspect, I may have to take that under advisement. That all depends on what comes out after a full and proper consultation.”

Novella will be seen by a doctor tomorrow and Judge Vincent Saldanha postponed the case to June 18. – ANA

Picture: AFP A boy holds a partially submerged branch as he plays in a swollen river caused by heavy rains under a bridge in Manila yesterday.