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Oscar Pistorius to be sentenced for murder of Reeva Steenkamp – live Oscar Pistorius to be sentenced for murder of Reeva Steenkamp – live
(35 minutes later)
9.28am BST
09:28
The sound of gunfire is now unbearable for Pistorius, the doctor says.
#OscarPistorius Scholtz says Oscar never wants to hold a firearm again, has sold all his firearms.
9.27am BST
09:27
Scholtz says Pistorius’ relationship with Reeva Steenkamp was only the second romantic relationship in which he felt “real companionship”:
He often was approached by beautiful girls like models, but never reacted to their offers.
Scholtz says Pistorius takes solace in the knowledge that Steenkamp is now in god’s hands.
He was “genuine in his affection for the deceased … there were no signs of abuse or coercion”.
9.24am BST
09:24
Scholtz turns to the murder of Reeva Steenkamp:
All of this changed when the incident took place in 2013 … his fall from grace was enormous.
Although he received support from many quarters, he was vilified by many.
He dealt with the trial … as best he could, but was unable to properly mourn the deceased.
Pistorius was not allowed to attend Steenkamp’s funeral, Scholtz says:
He was severely traumatised by the events.
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9.22am BST
09:22
Scholtz says Pistorius’ mother installed in him the idea that “god had a special plan for him” and encouraged him not to think of himself as disabled.
There were no behavioural problems throughout his time at school.
His life became “very structured and pre-determined” when he moved into professional athletics.
The doctor goes on to mention Pistorius’ appearance in a Time list of 100 influential people and an honorary degree from Strathclyde University.
9.18am BST
09:18
Scholtz talks about Pistorius’ family background, including his mother’s preoccupation with fear of crime and her death when he was 15.
He is estranged from his father but has a close relationship with his uncle.
His sister Aimee Pistorius recently left South Africa, Scholtz says, because of the stress of the court case. This was a “big loss” for Oscar Pistorius, the doctor says.
#OscarPistorius Scholtz now going over OP's daily life - says he calls his aunt Mom.MV
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9.16am BST
09:16
Pistorius 'not fit to testify'
Scholtz says in his view:
I don’t think he is able to be a witness in this trial: his condition is severe.
In his assessments, he found:
His mood was anxious and depressed … He tended to derail and become tangential at times.
Pistorius was preoccupied with the upcoming sentencing and his guilt, Scholtz says, displaying symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorder.
He is taking medication for depression, anxiety and insomnia.
9.12am BST
09:12
Pistorius has attended several courses, Scholtz says, including sessions on anger manegement and restorative justice.
9.10am BST
09:10
Scholtz runs through the list of people he spoke to for his current assessment, including Pistorius himself and family members, as well as his correctional services officer and a private psychologist.
He says he requested an interview with the parents of Reeva Steenkamp, but this was declined.
9.09am BST
09:09
Scholtz talks through his 2014 assessment of Pistorius: you can read about that from our report at the time here. That report concluded that Pistorius had post-traumatic stress disorder and a major depressive disorder, and could be considered a suicide risk.
9.06am BST
09:06
Roux says the defence asked only that Scholtz should assess Pistorius and did not give him further instructions about the nature of his report. This new report has now been handed to the judge.
Scholtz says he had consultations with Pistorius, including a psychometric assessment and a risk assessment, and interviewed others who might have supporting information.
Calling Prof Scholtz is a clever move by Barry Roux - he was the court-appointed psychiatrist who evaluated Pistorius so has authority.
9.03am BST
09:03
The defence calls its first witness: Professor Jonathan Scholtz.
He says he works at Weskoppies psychiatric hospital, the University of Pretoria and private practice.
Roux says a report by Scholtz was previously presented to the court when he acted as an expert witness after Pistorius was referred by the court for a mental health evaluation.
Scholtz says he was concerned about the “ethical implications” when he was approached by the defence to compile his current report. He concluded after consultation that the move was sound.
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8.59am BST
08:59
Gerrie Nel, the lead prosecutor begins.
He runs through the sequence of events that has brought everybody back to this court.
Barry Roux says the defence will call two witnesses: Pistorius’ psychologist and someone who will talk about his charity work.
It appears at this stage that Pistorius himself will not testify.
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8.56am BST
08:56
Court hearing begins
Judge Thokozile Masipa has entered and the hearing is underway.
Masipa presided over the original trial that resulted in a verdict of culpable homicide – and cleared Pistorius of murder.
Now the supreme court of appeal has overturned that decision and found Pistorius guilty of murder, Masipa will hear arguments from the defence and the state about how long his sentence should be.
8.45am BST8.45am BST
08:4508:45
Reporters in the Pretoria high court say there is an unusually heavy police presence within the courtroom, with the hearing about to begin; one reporter counted 18 officers following Pistorius into the room:Reporters in the Pretoria high court say there is an unusually heavy police presence within the courtroom, with the hearing about to begin; one reporter counted 18 officers following Pistorius into the room:
#OscarPistorius SAPS on one side of courtroom. BB pic.twitter.com/M4elmMCLIk#OscarPistorius SAPS on one side of courtroom. BB pic.twitter.com/M4elmMCLIk
8.40am BST8.40am BST
08:4008:40
Oscar Pistorius has arrived at the court, and was ushered swiftly into the building by police officers past the waiting media.Oscar Pistorius has arrived at the court, and was ushered swiftly into the building by police officers past the waiting media.
His defence team, including lead counsel Barry Roux, is already in the courtroom, as is Gerrie Nel, for the state.His defence team, including lead counsel Barry Roux, is already in the courtroom, as is Gerrie Nel, for the state.
#OscarPistorius arrives in court. @ANN7tv pic.twitter.com/tyGhHUckjP#OscarPistorius arrives in court. @ANN7tv pic.twitter.com/tyGhHUckjP
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8.30am BST8.30am BST
08:3008:30
The Steenkamp and Pistorius families are already in the courtroom, though Oscar Pistorius himself is yet to arrive.The Steenkamp and Pistorius families are already in the courtroom, though Oscar Pistorius himself is yet to arrive.
Both Barry and June Steenkamp, the parents of Reeva Steenkamp, are present. There have been reports that Barry Steenkamp – who has not previously spoken in court – might appear as a witness for the prosecution to argue for a strong sentence for the man who killed his daughter.Both Barry and June Steenkamp, the parents of Reeva Steenkamp, are present. There have been reports that Barry Steenkamp – who has not previously spoken in court – might appear as a witness for the prosecution to argue for a strong sentence for the man who killed his daughter.
#OscarPistorius The court is packed - family and friends already in court MV pic.twitter.com/6C8tTM9P2D#OscarPistorius The court is packed - family and friends already in court MV pic.twitter.com/6C8tTM9P2D
Aimee Pistorius and Carl Pistorius, the siblings of Oscar Pistorius, are also in attendance, along with wider family, including Arnold Pistorius, his uncle, at whose home the disgraced athlete has been living under house arrest since October 2015.Aimee Pistorius and Carl Pistorius, the siblings of Oscar Pistorius, are also in attendance, along with wider family, including Arnold Pistorius, his uncle, at whose home the disgraced athlete has been living under house arrest since October 2015.
His estranged father Henke Pistorius is also in court.His estranged father Henke Pistorius is also in court.
8.20am BST8.20am BST
08:2008:20
How did we get here, more than three years after Pistorius shot dead Reeva Steenkamp at his Pretoria home, firing four bullets through a locked toilet cubicle door?How did we get here, more than three years after Pistorius shot dead Reeva Steenkamp at his Pretoria home, firing four bullets through a locked toilet cubicle door?
In 2014, the former athlete was found guilty by Judge Masipa – after a trial lasting many months – of culpable homicide, but cleared of murder. Masipa found that while Pistorius had acted recklessly, he had not intended to kill Steenkamp.In 2014, the former athlete was found guilty by Judge Masipa – after a trial lasting many months – of culpable homicide, but cleared of murder. Masipa found that while Pistorius had acted recklessly, he had not intended to kill Steenkamp.
But an appeal court last December overturned that ruling, finding him guilty of murder. The five supreme court judges ruled unanimously:But an appeal court last December overturned that ruling, finding him guilty of murder. The five supreme court judges ruled unanimously:
As a result of the errors of law … and on a proper appraisal of the facts, he ought to have been convicted not of culpable homicide on that count but of murder.As a result of the errors of law … and on a proper appraisal of the facts, he ought to have been convicted not of culpable homicide on that count but of murder.
In the interests of justice the conviction and the sentence imposed in respect thereof must be set aside and the conviction substituted with a conviction of the correct offence.In the interests of justice the conviction and the sentence imposed in respect thereof must be set aside and the conviction substituted with a conviction of the correct offence.
The judges said Masipa had been wrong on several points of law, chief among them her conclusion that Pistorius had not foreseen that his actions could kill somebody (a legal principle known as dolus eventualis). Justice Eric Leach, reading the ruling on behalf of the bench, said:The judges said Masipa had been wrong on several points of law, chief among them her conclusion that Pistorius had not foreseen that his actions could kill somebody (a legal principle known as dolus eventualis). Justice Eric Leach, reading the ruling on behalf of the bench, said:
I have no doubt … the accused must have foreseen and therefore did foresee that whoever was behind that door might die.I have no doubt … the accused must have foreseen and therefore did foresee that whoever was behind that door might die.
This week’s sentencing hearing – officially a continuation of the original trial – takes place once again in front of Masipa, who will decide the fresh sentence.This week’s sentencing hearing – officially a continuation of the original trial – takes place once again in front of Masipa, who will decide the fresh sentence.
8.08am BST8.08am BST
08:0808:08
Opening summaryOpening summary
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Welcome to live coverage as what looks to be the final stage of the long trial of Oscar Pistorius for the death of Reeva Steenkamp gets underway in Pretoria today.Welcome to live coverage as what looks to be the final stage of the long trial of Oscar Pistorius for the death of Reeva Steenkamp gets underway in Pretoria today.
Pistorius will appear before his original trial judge, Thokozile Masipa, for a sentencing hearing, as his lawyers seek to persuade the court that his circumstances mitigate against the minimum jail term for murder of 15 years.Pistorius will appear before his original trial judge, Thokozile Masipa, for a sentencing hearing, as his lawyers seek to persuade the court that his circumstances mitigate against the minimum jail term for murder of 15 years.
The hearing is expected to take several days, perhaps until Wednesday. The judge will then retire to consider the arguments in mitigation and aggravation of sentence, and could return with her decision as early as Friday – although she could take as long as a week.The hearing is expected to take several days, perhaps until Wednesday. The judge will then retire to consider the arguments in mitigation and aggravation of sentence, and could return with her decision as early as Friday – although she could take as long as a week.
Pistorius has so far served one year inside Kgosi Mampuru II prison, and has spent the months since he was released in October 2015 under house arrest conditions at his uncle’s home. It is expected that his legal team will argue that this should be taken into account when determining any further sentence.Pistorius has so far served one year inside Kgosi Mampuru II prison, and has spent the months since he was released in October 2015 under house arrest conditions at his uncle’s home. It is expected that his legal team will argue that this should be taken into account when determining any further sentence.
It’s possible, though not confirmed, that Pistorius could take the stand himself.It’s possible, though not confirmed, that Pistorius could take the stand himself.
The state is expected to put forward witnesses, with reports this weekend suggesting that Barry Steenkamp, the father of Reeva, could take the stand. It would be his first testimony in court, after ill-health forced him to watch much of the original trial unfold on television.The state is expected to put forward witnesses, with reports this weekend suggesting that Barry Steenkamp, the father of Reeva, could take the stand. It would be his first testimony in court, after ill-health forced him to watch much of the original trial unfold on television.
Reeva Steenkamp was shot dead by Pistorius at his home in the early hours of 13 February 2013. He claimed he had believed her to be an intruder, but an appeal court last year ruled that he had acted with criminal intent and should be found guilty of her murder.Reeva Steenkamp was shot dead by Pistorius at his home in the early hours of 13 February 2013. He claimed he had believed her to be an intruder, but an appeal court last year ruled that he had acted with criminal intent and should be found guilty of her murder.
For legal reasons, comments are not switched on for this live blog at the moment, but do contact me via Twitter @Claire_Phipps with any questions or comments.For legal reasons, comments are not switched on for this live blog at the moment, but do contact me via Twitter @Claire_Phipps with any questions or comments.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.22am BSTat 8.22am BST