Other High Profile Cases and Persons of Interest => Oscar Pistorius and the killing of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. => Topic started by: Mr Moderator on April 30, 2014, 03:43:14 PM
Title: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: Mr Moderator on April 30, 2014, 03:43:14 PM
Defense witness Dr. Merryll Vorster, a forensic psychiatrist, testified that the athlete suffers from generalized anxiety disorder, which may have had an impact on his actions when he shot Steenkamp –- prompting Prosecutor Gerrie Nel to contend that Pistorius be sent for mental observation.
In granting the application, Judge Thokozile Masipa said she realizes the 30-day observation period will cause further delays in the trial, but that it wasn't about anybody's convenience, it was about serving the interest of justice.
Pistorius will be assessed as an outpatient, meaning he will be able to go home each day and won’t have to spend weekends in the facility.
The trial is set to resume on June 30.
Title: Re: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: Tim Invictus on May 20, 2014, 11:10:35 AM
Kin' hell. Pistorius won't even start his sidekick evaluation until 26th May; I thought he had already completed a week of the 30 days!
The court starts again on 30th June and Oscar will be an outpatient in the meantime so again he escapes detention! Justice delayed is justice denied!
Why is the law always so frigging slow!
Title: Re: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: Anna on May 20, 2014, 11:24:17 AM
Link not working.............................
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhmN5yBGG-I
Back on the 30th June 2014 when all decisions from Doctors examining him, on an out patient basis, will be presented to the court .
The decision on his mental awareness at the time of the crime will then be judged.
Title: Re: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: Anna on May 20, 2014, 12:08:40 PM
Title: Re: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: John on May 21, 2014, 10:08:19 AM
Evaluating Pistorius' mental health NOW is hardly relevant to what it was before the killing of Reeva Steenkamp or am I missing something here?
If he had long term mental health issues before he shot Reeva then there would be a record of it or is the prosecutor trying to say he hid it? Anyone could be forgiven for thinking that there is an element of farce creeping into this showcase trial.
Title: Re: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: Tim Invictus on May 21, 2014, 10:27:31 AM
Evaluating Pistorius' mental health NOW is hardly relevant to what it was before the killing of Reeva Steenkamp or am I missing something here?
If he had long term mental health issues before he shot Reeva then there would be a record of it or is the prosecutor trying to say he hid it? Anyone could be forgiven for thinking that there is an element of farce creeping into this showcase trial.
I don't get it either John. Of course OP is depressed and anxious ..... he faces possible life in prison and everyone has said his defence was a pile of pants! Exactly the same with Shrien Dewai!
Unless there is evidence of mental illness at or prior to the alleged offence, what is the point?
Gerrie Nel and the state don't buy it for one second but they have to respond to prevent an appeal on the mental health issue.
Title: Re: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: John on June 24, 2014, 02:28:18 PM
Oscar Pistorius Trial: What Are Doctors Looking for in his General Anxiety Evaluation?
The Oscar Pistorius trial is currently on break after a psychiatrist diagnosed the so-called Blade Runner with generalized anxiety disorder
Judge Thokozile Masipa ordered a 30-day evaluation of Pistorius after the diagnosis.
Pistorius is finishing up his fourth week of being evaluated.
Dr. Charles Sophy told HLNTV that doctors should be able to tell by now whether Pistorius has the disorder or not.
“Most of the traits that exhibit themselves for a generalized anxiety disorder will come out in things that not only will be tested for in psychological testing, such as concentration, pulse control, mood, those kinds of things,” he said.
Am I right in thinking that the defence have accepted the expert opinion, that Pistorius was not suffering from any anxiety disorder?
Defence Advocate Roux said he wants time to study the final report on OP.
Title: Re: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: Tim Invictus on July 01, 2014, 01:05:15 AM
Hmmmmm how does that work!
Page 31 Of the psychiatric report:
OP did not suffer from a mental defect or mental illness at the time of the commission of the OFFENCE!
and
Mr. Pistorius was capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act!
How can they write those lines when OP has not been found guilty yet?
Sometimes the court and even the judge talk like the verdict is a foregone conclusion .... if I was Roux, I would be jumping up at every reference to guilt that hasn't been proved yet!
Title: Re: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: sika on July 01, 2014, 07:09:26 AM
OP did not suffer from a mental defect or mental illness at the time of the commission of the OFFENCE!
and
Mr. Pistorius was capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act!
How can they write those lines when OP has not been found guilty yet?
Sometimes the court and even the judge talk like the verdict is a foregone conclusion .... if I was Roux, I would be jumping up at every reference to guilt that hasn't been proved yet!
Is it because he has admitted to manslaughter, I wonder?
Title: Re: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: sika on July 01, 2014, 07:12:40 AM
That's interesting! The BBC reported that it had been accepted by the defence. I thought that sounded odd, hence I posed the question.
Defence and the state have both accepted the two reports conclusions ... basically that OP wasn't mentally unfit at the time of the alleged murder. Roux has reserved the right to return to questioning details of the reports after he has had time to study them.
Title: Re: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: Tim Invictus on July 01, 2014, 11:25:15 AM
Defence and the state have both accepted the two reports conclusions ... basically that OP wasn't mentally unfit at the time of the alleged murder. Roux has reserved the right to return to questioning details of the reports after he has had time to study them.
With respect, I fail to see how they can establish that he was mentally sound on the night of the murder unless they have a Tardis hidden away? I would have thought they can only establish at best that he is not mentally inept at this moment in time.
Title: Re: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: Tim Invictus on July 03, 2014, 03:48:37 PM
With respect, I fail to see how they can establish that he was mentally sound on the night of the murder unless they have a Tardis hidden away? I would have thought they can only establish at best that he is not mentally inept at this moment in time.
I agree. Just like Dewani, they face possible decades in prison so of course they are going to be anxious and depressed now .... any opinion about how they were at the time of the murders is little more than guess work.
Title: Re: Oscar Pistorius to have psychiatric evaluation as part of the trial.
Post by: John on July 04, 2014, 12:30:59 AM
I thought temporary insanity was impossible to prove?