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Pistorius trial resumes with mental health ruling due Pistorius trial: Prosecution applies for mental tests
(35 minutes later)
The trial of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has resumed, with the judge due to rule on a prosecution application for him to undergo a 30-day mental observation. The prosecution in the trial of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has formally requested for him to undergo a mental observation.
Defence lawyer Barry Roux is re-examining forensic psychiatrist Merryll Vorster. Prosecution lawyer Gerrie Nel made the move after cross-examining forensic psychiatrist Merryll Vorster as she had said he was "a danger to society".
On Monday, she said that Mr Pistorius suffered from an anxiety disorder. Earlier, Dr Vorster said the athlete suffered from an anxiety disorder since childhood and feared violent crime.
It is expected that the judge will rule on the application after both sides have finished questioning Dr Vorster. Mr Pistorius denies murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year.
The BBC's Andrew Harding in Pretoria says there is the possibility of a lengthy delay in the case. The Olympic double amputee says he accidentally shot her through the toilet door in a state of panic, mistaking the 29-year-old model and law graduate for an intruder.
The double-amputee Paralympian denies intentionally shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year. The prosecution accused the defence on Tuesday of changing its plea - from putative self-defence to a psychiatric disorder.
Mr Pistorius says he accidentally shot her through the toilet door in a state of panic, mistaking the 29-year-old model and law graduate for an intruder. Mr Nel said that a "psychiatric evaluation was essential" and it was in the interests of justice for the accused to be referred.
Dr Vorster told the court on Tuesday that would not say that Mr Pistorius had "a mental illness" and that he was "still able to function at high level as an athlete and still able to socialise". Dr Vorster told the court earlier that she would not say that Mr Pistorius had "a mental illness" and that he was "still able to function at high level as an athlete and still able to socialise".
But she said that people with Generalised Anxiety Disorders (Gads) like Mr Pistorius probably should not have firearms.But she said that people with Generalised Anxiety Disorders (Gads) like Mr Pistorius probably should not have firearms.
She said that Gad would not "render you unfit to stand trial".
The BBC's Andrew Harding says that the psychiatrist shored up the defence's argument that Mr Pistorius does not need mental evaluation.
On Monday she said that the athlete had had an anxiety disorder since childhood and was "anxious" about violent crime.On Monday she said that the athlete had had an anxiety disorder since childhood and was "anxious" about violent crime.
His actions on Valentine's Day last year "should be seen in context of his anxiety", she said.His actions on Valentine's Day last year "should be seen in context of his anxiety", she said.
'Danger to society''Danger to society'
If the prosecution request is granted, Mr Pistorius may spend up to 30 days in a state mental health institution for observation and assessment of his mental health.If the prosecution request is granted, Mr Pistorius may spend up to 30 days in a state mental health institution for observation and assessment of his mental health.
The athlete has described the prosecution move as "a joke", insisting that Monday's evidence from Dr Vorster had "gone well", our correspondent says.The athlete has described the prosecution move as "a joke", insisting that Monday's evidence from Dr Vorster had "gone well", our correspondent says.
But the prosecution argues that her testimony is further proof that the athlete is changing his defence - from putative self-defence, to an accidental shooting, to something now linked to his state of mind, he says. But the prosecution argues that her testimony is further proof that the athlete is changing his defence.
The defence opposed the application before the court adjourned on Monday.The defence opposed the application before the court adjourned on Monday.
Our correspondent says that court sources have indicated that it is unlikely that Judge Thokozile Masipa will grant the prosecution its request.Our correspondent says that court sources have indicated that it is unlikely that Judge Thokozile Masipa will grant the prosecution its request.
Dr Vorster said on Monday that the reactions of Mr Pistorius in the early hours of 14 February 2013 would have been different to that of a "normal, able-bodied person without generalised anxiety disorder".Dr Vorster said on Monday that the reactions of Mr Pistorius in the early hours of 14 February 2013 would have been different to that of a "normal, able-bodied person without generalised anxiety disorder".
She said that Mr Pistorius was more likely to respond to any threat with "fight" rather than "flight".She said that Mr Pistorius was more likely to respond to any threat with "fight" rather than "flight".
There are no juries at trials in South Africa, so the athlete's fate will ultimately be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors.There are no juries at trials in South Africa, so the athlete's fate will ultimately be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors.
If found guilty, Mr Pistorius - a national sporting hero dubbed the "blade runner" because of the prosthetic limbs he wears to race - could face life imprisonment.If found guilty, Mr Pistorius - a national sporting hero dubbed the "blade runner" because of the prosthetic limbs he wears to race - could face life imprisonment.
If he is acquitted of murder, the court must consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could receive about 15 years in prison.If he is acquitted of murder, the court must consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could receive about 15 years in prison.