South African paralympian Oscar Pistorius, convicted of the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp is a
‘broken man who shouldn’t be jailed’, a psychologist has told the court
at his murder case trial going on today.
The 29 year
old athlete faces a minimum 15-year sentence in a case that has prompted
a fierce debate in South Africa, a country beset by high levels of
violent crime. Some rights groups say the ‘white’ athlete has
received preferential treatment and would have been punished severely if
he were black.
Pistorius appeared at
today’s session most times with his hands on his head as the
Psychologist said he has been undergoing medication for depression,
anxiety and insomnia.
today’s session most times with his hands on his head as the
Psychologist said he has been undergoing medication for depression,
anxiety and insomnia.
Oscar’s trial will last through out this week till , when a sentence will be made.
Psychologist
Jonathan Scholtz told the court:
Jonathan Scholtz told the court:
“Since the offence he has developed a
serious psychiatric condition which has become worse over the past two
years – major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.”
“One
would describe him as broken. In my opinion his current condition
warrants hospitalization,” Scholtz told the hearing that was attended by
Steenkamp’s mother.
“Since 2013, he becomes
traumatized when he hears the sound of gunfire,” Scholtz said. “He never
wants to touch a firearm again.”
Pistorius killed Ms Steenkamp in February 2013 after firing four times through a locked toilet door.
The athlete has always maintained he believed he was shooting at an intruder.