Oscar Pistorius's defence will call two witnesses in an attempt to get him as light a sentence as possible for murder, the High Court i...
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Oscar Pistorius's defence will call two witnesses in an attempt to get him as light a sentence as possible for murder, the High Court in Pretoria heard today.
His lawyer Barry Roux told Judge Thokozile Masipa he would call a psychologist, and another person who was “relevant to charity”.
He did not elaborate. Psychologist, Prof Jonanthan Scholtz, was called to the stand first.
He first assessed Pistorius in May 2014 when the court referred Pistorius for assessment. He assessed him again in May 2016, at the request of the defence.
“I was a bit concerned about the ethical considerations because I had assessed him previously,”
Scholtz told Roux. He said he got clearance from the Health Professions Council of SA and the board of psychology to proceed with the second assessment.
Scholtz said he spent several hours interviewing Pistorius and subjected him to psychometric tests and a risk assessment. "He showed signs of a post-traumatic stress disorder, an anxiety disorder, and a depressive disorder.... Currently, I don't think he is able to testify, his condition is severe," Scholtz said.
“His condition has worsened since 2014,” Scholtz said.
He also mentioned Pistorius's religious beliefs. "The experiences of the past two years has deepened his spirituality... He has found some solace that the deceased [his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp] is with God."
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“I was a bit concerned about the ethical considerations because I had assessed him previously,”
Scholtz told Roux. He said he got clearance from the Health Professions Council of SA and the board of psychology to proceed with the second assessment.
Scholtz said he spent several hours interviewing Pistorius and subjected him to psychometric tests and a risk assessment. "He showed signs of a post-traumatic stress disorder, an anxiety disorder, and a depressive disorder.... Currently, I don't think he is able to testify, his condition is severe," Scholtz said.
“His condition has worsened since 2014,” Scholtz said.
He also mentioned Pistorius's religious beliefs. "The experiences of the past two years has deepened his spirituality... He has found some solace that the deceased [his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp] is with God."
He said Pistorius never wanted to touch or handle guns again. "He has sold his firearms. He has become traumatised at the sound of gunfire, even if it is in a film he is watching."
Pistorius is being sentenced for murder after the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned his sentence of culpable homicide for killing Steenkamp on February 14, 2013.
Pistorius is being sentenced for murder after the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned his sentence of culpable homicide for killing Steenkamp on February 14, 2013.
It found him guilty of murder and sent the matter back to Judge Thokozile Masipa to sentence him afresh. - Daily Sun
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