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Oscar Pistorius trial hears of amputee 'stress and anxiety' Oscar Pistorius trial hears of amputee 'stress and anxiety'
(about 5 hours later)
South African double amputee Oscar Pistorius has been greatly affected by his disability, a sports doctor has told his murder trial. South African double amputee Oscar Pistorius has been greatly affected by his disability, a sports doctor has told his murder trial in Pretoria.
Wayne Derman told the court in Pretoria that the Paralympian suffered "significant stress and anxiety". Defence witness Wayne Derman told the court that the Paralympian suffered "significant stress and anxiety".
Mr Pistorius says he shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp after mistaking her for an intruder in their house last year.Mr Pistorius says he shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp after mistaking her for an intruder in their house last year.
The prosecution argues that he killed her deliberately after a row.The prosecution argues that he killed her deliberately after a row.
At issue is the athlete's state of mind at the time of the shooting.At issue is the athlete's state of mind at the time of the shooting.
On Monday, the court heard he was not suffering from a mental disorder when he shot Ms Steenkamp.On Monday, the court heard he was not suffering from a mental disorder when he shot Ms Steenkamp.
According to a psychiatrists' report, Mr Pistorius, 27, is capable of distinguishing between right and wrong and so should bear criminal responsibility for his actions.According to a psychiatrists' report, Mr Pistorius, 27, is capable of distinguishing between right and wrong and so should bear criminal responsibility for his actions.
The court also heard a psychologist's assessment on Wednesday which found that he had post-traumatic stress disorder since the shooting and could be a suicide risk.The court also heard a psychologist's assessment on Wednesday which found that he had post-traumatic stress disorder since the shooting and could be a suicide risk.
It found he was mourning Ms Steenkamp, a model and law graduate. It found he was mourning Ms Steenkamp, 29, a model and law graduate.
'Disability never sleeps''Disability never sleeps'
The athlete's lawyer, Barry Roux, has argued that his client would react more sharply to fear than an able-bodied person would because of the anxiety caused by his disability.The athlete's lawyer, Barry Roux, has argued that his client would react more sharply to fear than an able-bodied person would because of the anxiety caused by his disability.
Wayne Derman, a professor of sports and exercise medicine at the University of Cape Town, was the final witness called by the defence. Mr Derman, a professor of sports and exercise medicine at the University of Cape Town, was the final witness called by the defence. He has worked with South Africa's Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Mr Derman said Mr Pistorius had had a "lifetime of real and learnt vulnerability" as a result of his disability. Disability, he said, had a "knock-on" effect through one's entire life. "Disability never sleeps." He said Mr Pistorius had had a "lifetime of real and learnt vulnerability" as a result of his disability. Disability, he said, had a "knock-on" effect through one's entire life. "Disability never sleeps."
The athlete, the professor added, also had a "profound fear of crime".The athlete, the professor added, also had a "profound fear of crime".
The athlete, he said, had developed an "exaggerated fight response" and this was responsible for the "horrific tragedy" of Ms Steenkamp's death.The athlete, he said, had developed an "exaggerated fight response" and this was responsible for the "horrific tragedy" of Ms Steenkamp's death.
But cross-examining Mr Derman, prosecutor Gerrie Nel suggested Mr Derman's statements amounted to "character" rather than "expert" evidence.
Analysis: Pumza Fihlani in Pretoria
The theory of the "two Oscars" came into sharp focus in court as sports doctor Wayne Derman spent a second day on the stand.
He described the athlete's battle with his life, a paradox of supreme ability and great disability.
Dr Derman said due to his disability, to fight was his only alternative when he believed there was an intruder in the house.
But prosecutor Gerrie Nel accused Dr Derman of being biased in favour of Mr Pistorius, of whom he said he had an "intimate knowledge".
Much time was spent on the timings of his response and actions leading up to the moment he shot his girlfriend.
Mr Nel tried to find enough room in Dr Derman's testimony to show that the accused had enough time to think of his actions.
One of the most difficult questions the defence needs to answer in this trial is why Mr Pistorius fired through a closed toilet door. The answer to that will decide Mr Pistorius's fate.
Mr Pistorius says he fired multiple shots into a toilet cubicle where Ms Steenkamp was, while in a state of panic.Mr Pistorius says he fired multiple shots into a toilet cubicle where Ms Steenkamp was, while in a state of panic.
The sprinter and Ms Steenkamp, 29, had been dating for about three months before the shooting. The sprinter and Ms Steenkamp had been dating for about three months before the shooting.
He has often displayed his emotions during the trial, including breaking down in tears in court.He has often displayed his emotions during the trial, including breaking down in tears in court.
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 of murder, Mr Pistorius, who went on trial on 3 March, could face life imprisonment. If he is acquitted of that charge, the court will consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could - if convicted - receive about 15 years in prison.If found guilty of murder, Mr Pistorius, who went on trial on 3 March, could face life imprisonment. If he is acquitted of that charge, the court will consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could - if convicted - receive about 15 years in prison.
The court has been adjourned until Monday.