South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has had an anxiety disorder since childhood and was “anxious” about violent crime, a psychiatrist has told his murder trial.
His actions when he shot his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day last year “should be seen in context of his anxiety,” Merryll Vorster said.
The prosecution dramatically asked for him to undergo mental observation.
The double-amputee Paralympian denies intentionally killing Reeva Steenkamp.
The defence opposed the application before the court adjourned on Monday. It will reconvene on Tuesday.
If the prosecution request is granted, Mr Pistorius may spend up to 30 days in a state mental health institution for observation and assessment of his mental health.
It was expected that the defence would conclude its case by the end of this week – after which both sides would have an opportunity to present their closing arguments.
Mr Pistorius says he accidentally shot Ms Steenkamp through the toilet door in a state of panic, mistaking the 29-year-old model and law graduate for an intruder.
Giving evidence on Monday, Dr Vorster said that Mr Pistorius was more likely to respond to any threat with “fight” rather than “flight”.
The anxiety disorder was the result of surgery at the age of 11 months to remove his lower legs, she said, a “traumatic assault” for an infant at that age.
She said that Mr Pistorius felt remorse over Ms Steenkamp’s death.
“He feels guilty and has developed a depressive disorder as a result,” she said.
wirestory
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