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Oscar Pistorius trial: Psychiatric report finds athlete 'is not mentally ill' Oscar Pistorius trial: Psychiatric report finds athlete 'is not mentally ill'
(35 minutes later)
Oscar Pistorius does not suffer from a mental illness and understood the wrongfulness of his actions the night he shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp, his murder trial heard as proceedings resumed on Monday. Oscar Pistorius does not suffer from a mental illness and understood the wrongfulness of his actions the night he shot and killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, his murder trial heard as proceedings resumed on Monday.
The psychiatric evaluation, compiled by three psychiatrists and one psychologist, came to the conclusion that the athlete does not suffer from a mental health disorder or "defect" that could have diminished his criminal responsibility for the shooting. Returning to Pretoria's High Court, chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel referred to key parts of the athlete's psychiatric evaluation, noting that the independent panel of experts came to the conclusion that the athlete does not suffer from a mental illness and was "capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act".
Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel referred to key parts of the conclusions, noting that the experts believed Pistorius was "capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act". "Mr Pistorius did not suffer from a mental defect or mental illness at the time of the commission of the offence that would have rendered him criminally not responsible for the offences charged," Mr Nel told the court, reading from the report.
Both the prosecution and his defence accepted the findings of the report, although his legal team called for more time to assess the findings and make some consultations. Both the prosecution and his defence counsel accepted the findings of the report, compiled by three psychiatrists and one psychologist, although his legal team called for more time to assess the findings and make some consultations.
The evaluation came after Dr Merryll Vorster, an expert witness for the defence, testified that Mr Pistorius has a generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) that could have affected his actions the night of the shooting. The evaluation came after Dr Merryll Vorster, an expert witness for the defence, testified that Pistorius has a generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and his actions would be different to those of an able-bodied person under stress.
Pistorius was ordered to undergo a 30-day psychiatric evaluation, checking in at Pretoria's Weskoppies psychiatric hospital on 26 May, where he was assessed for seven hours a day. Last month, Pistorius was ordered to undergo a 30-day mental health evaluation, checking in at Pretoria's Weskoppies psychiatric hospital on 26 May, where he was assessed for seven hours a day, after the prosecution called for an independent assessment.
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 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 found guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, he could face 15 years or a non-custodial sentence.
The trial continues.