Prosecution apply for Pistorius to be mentally examined to determine levels of anxiety

The prosecution have formally requested Oscar Pistorius undergoes mental observation, following claims from psychiatrist Merryl Vorster that the athlete suffered with general anxiety disorder (GAD).

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by Ellie Hooper |
Published on

Gerrie Nel, for the prosecution, has now formally applied for Pistorius to undergo observation (which would delay the trial for another month), in order for them to determine if he truly suffers with anxiety.

He also accused the defence of changing its plea this week - from self-defence to a psychiatric disorder.

Pistorius has claimed from the outset that he shot 29-year-old Reeva Steenkamp when he mistook her for an intruder in his home, firing four bullets through the closed bathroom door.

Oscar Pistorius has been back in court this week
Oscar Pistorius has been back in court this week

This week they called psychiatrist Merryl Vorster to the stand, who has testified that Pistorius was traumatised by losing his legs and had suffered with anxiety his entire life.

However she refused to say he had a 'mental illness' as he was still able to function in society and in his career.

Vorster said that Pistorius's crime on February 14 2013 should be seen 'in context of his anxiety.'

Reeva Steenkamp was shot dead on Valentine's Day 2013

The Doctor added that his reactions to the perceived intrusion on that night would have been different to that of a 'normal, able-bodied person without generalised anxiety disorder.'

The judge will rule on Wednesday on whether Pistorius should be placed under observation.

Yesterday the court heard further evidence from Dr Vorster - who added that the early death of his mother, coupled with her highly anxious personality, had caused Oscar to be 'hyper vigilant.'

The court has also previously heard of tweets Oscar wrote in the months before the shooting, in which he described going into 'full combat recon mode' when he mistook the washing machine for being an intruder. Despite deleting the tweet, it has been used as evidence in the trial.

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