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Oscar Pistorius Trial: Athlete sent for 'psychiatric evaluation' Oscar Pistorius Trial: Athlete sent for 'psychiatric evaluation'
(35 minutes later)
Oscar Pistorius will be sent for a compulsory psychiatric assessment at a mental hospital in South Africa as his murder trial takes a new twist.Oscar Pistorius will be sent for a compulsory psychiatric assessment at a mental hospital in South Africa as his murder trial takes a new twist.
Granting the prosecution's request for Pistorius to undergo an independent assessment, Thokozile Matilda Masipa cited the testimony of Dr Merryl  Vorster, a psychiatrist and expert witness for the defence, who argued the athlete suffers from a generalised anxiety disorder that "may" have impacted his actions the night he shot and killed his girlfriend through a locked toilet door.Granting the prosecution's request for Pistorius to undergo an independent assessment, Thokozile Matilda Masipa cited the testimony of Dr Merryl  Vorster, a psychiatrist and expert witness for the defence, who argued the athlete suffers from a generalised anxiety disorder that "may" have impacted his actions the night he shot and killed his girlfriend through a locked toilet door.
"The accused may not have raised the issue that he was not criminally responsible but evidence raised on his behalf clearly raise the issue and cannot be ignored," Judge Masipa told Pretoria's High Court on Wednesday morning, adding that it be preferable for him to undergo the evaluation as an outpatient."The accused may not have raised the issue that he was not criminally responsible but evidence raised on his behalf clearly raise the issue and cannot be ignored," Judge Masipa told Pretoria's High Court on Wednesday morning, adding that it be preferable for him to undergo the evaluation as an outpatient.
The court has adjourned until next Tuesday, when the terms of her ruling, including the length of his psychiatric evaluation, will be read in court. Pistorius could spend up to 30 days in observation at a mental health institution.The court has adjourned until next Tuesday, when the terms of her ruling, including the length of his psychiatric evaluation, will be read in court. Pistorius could spend up to 30 days in observation at a mental health institution.
On Tuesday, chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel questioned the timing of Dr Vorster's testimony and suggested the athlete's defence introduced a mental health disorder to the case as a "fall-back" because Pistorius was an "unimpressive" witness. Dr Vorster met Pistorius twice after he gave evidence.On Tuesday, chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel questioned the timing of Dr Vorster's testimony and suggested the athlete's defence introduced a mental health disorder to the case as a "fall-back" because Pistorius was an "unimpressive" witness. Dr Vorster met Pistorius twice after he gave evidence.
Mr Nel also accused the defence of changing its plea- from self-defence to automatism, and now mental illness- and argued the court has the "right to know what his defence is" at this stage of the trial, where a verdict seemed imminent, but will now be inevitably delayed.Mr Nel also accused the defence of changing its plea- from self-defence to automatism, and now mental illness- and argued the court has the "right to know what his defence is" at this stage of the trial, where a verdict seemed imminent, but will now be inevitably delayed.
Barry Roux, his defence counsel, angrily rejected the prosecution's application, arguing that Dr Vorster's diagnosis did not constitute a "mental disorder" and the psychiatrist agreed that Pistorius understands the difference between wrong and right. But Mr Nel insisted that, facing "at least three defences", the court needed an independent opinion from a second expert.
If convicted of murder, which the athlete denies, Pistorius faces a mandatory life sentence which usually carries a minimum of 25 years in jail, though mitigation could reduce it in this case. If found guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, he could face 15 years or a non-custodial sentence.If convicted of murder, which the athlete denies, Pistorius faces a mandatory life sentence which usually carries a minimum of 25 years in jail, though mitigation could reduce it in this case. If found guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, he could face 15 years or a non-custodial sentence.
The trial continues.The trial continues.