bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

The murder trial of Paralympian Oscar Pistorius resumed yesterday with experts saying they had found no sign of mental illness after a month of psychiatric tests.
"Mr Pistorius did not suffer from a mental illness or defect that would have rendered him criminally not responsible for the offence charged," said state prosecutor Gerrie Nel.

 
He was reading from one of two psychologist reports prepared during four weeks of examination by a psychiatric panel and a psychologist. Both said Pistorius could be held criminally responsible.
The star runner is accused of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year.
He admits shooting Steenkamp with a 9mm pistol through a locked toilet door, but says it was a mistake as he thought she was an intruder coming to attack him in the dead of night.
"Mr Pistorius was capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act," said Nel. Sitting in the dock, Pistorius stared straight ahead as Nel read the reports.
The month-long mental assessment was ordered by Judge Thokozile Masipa after his defence called a witness who testified that the Paralympic gold medallist had "generalised anxiety disorder".
The defence team claimed the condition could have resulted in a heightened fear of crime that affected his judgment.
Nel, who has been described as a pit bull terrier for his ruthless cross-examination style in the trial, asked the court to closely interrogate the psychiatrist's diagnosis, fearing Pistorius may exploit concerns about his mental health to reset the case.
Defence lawyer Barry Roux said his team agreed with the report, but asked for more time to review it.
The trial continues with the defence calling its final witnesses.
The prosecution argues the shooting of Steenkamp was cold-blooded murder following a row between the young couple and has gathered evidence of a tempestuous relationship.
His defence team has claimed the sprinter suffers from deep-seated anxiety dating back to the amputation of his lower legs as a child and the influence of a mother who abused alcohol and slept with a gun under her pillow out of fear of South Africa's high crime rates.
Pistorius spent a month attending daily sessions as an outpatient at Weskoppies Hospital outside Pretoria from May 20.
The athlete has often broken down during the proceedings, sobbing and vomiting when graphic details about Steenkamp's death were presented to the court.
His outbursts were so frequent that his defence team started keeping a bucket close by the dock.
His trial started in March and has attracted global media attention. He has pleaded not guilty to Steenkamp's murder and other charges related to ammunition possession.
He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted of murder.
Judicial sources say once all the evidence has been presented, the defence and prosecution will require a few more weeks to compile their written submissions before presenting them to court.
They will return to court to answer final questions on their arguments. South Africa does not have jury trials, so a verdict will be delivered by the judge.


Oscar Pistorius competes in triathlon 12 years after murdering girlfriend

Who is Oscar Pistorius’ reported new love, Rita Greyling? The Paralympian is out on parole, 11 years after shooting his ex Reeva Steenkamp – now he’s dating a business consultant and family friend

South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius released on parole 11 years after murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius denied parole decade after killing girlfriend

Oscar Pistorius

Experts say they found no signs that Oscar Pistorius was mentally ill

Oscar Pistorius shows emotion as he listens to evidence given in court. Experts said they found no evidence of mental illness. Photos: AP

South African Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius sits in the dock during his murder trial in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. Photo: Reuters

Oscar Pistorius to start 30-day mental evaluation, murder trial postponed

Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius arrives at the  High Court in Pretoria ahead of his trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Photo: Reuters

Pistorius tells of sometimes troubled relations with girlfriend Steenkamp

South African track star Oscar Pistorius. Photo: AP

South African track star Oscar Pistorius arrives at the High Court in Pretoria. Photo: Reuters

News

World

Paralympian underwent four weeks of tests to determine his mental state


The murder trial of Paralympian Oscar Pistorius resumed yesterday with experts saying they had found no sign of mental illness after a month of psychiatric tests.


.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Update | Experts say they found no signs that Oscar Pistorius was mentally ill

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Paralympian underwent four weeks of tests to determine his mental state

Update | Experts say they found no signs that Oscar Pistorius was mentally ill

Paralympian underwent four weeks of tests to determine his mental state