Judge orders Pistorius to undergo month of mental tests
- 10 years ago
The Oscar Pistorius murder trial is going on another break.
The judge ordered Tuesday that the South African Olympic and Paralympic track star undergo a month of psychiatric tests.
The tests are to find out whether Pistorius was criminally responsible for shooting dead his girlfriend last year.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JUDGE THOKOZILE MASIPA, SAYING:
"A psychiatrist appointed in terms of the provisions of Section 79, sub-section 1B.1 inquire into whether the accused by reason of mental illness or mental defect, was at the time of the commission of the offence criminally responsible for the offence as charged, whether he was capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act or of acting in accordance with an appreciation of the wrongfulness of his act."
Pistorius denies killing Reeva Steenkamp in cold blood.
He says he shot at what he thought was an intruder in his home.
Pistorius will now go to one of South Africa's top mental hospitals.
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The judge ordered Tuesday that the South African Olympic and Paralympic track star undergo a month of psychiatric tests.
The tests are to find out whether Pistorius was criminally responsible for shooting dead his girlfriend last year.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JUDGE THOKOZILE MASIPA, SAYING:
"A psychiatrist appointed in terms of the provisions of Section 79, sub-section 1B.1 inquire into whether the accused by reason of mental illness or mental defect, was at the time of the commission of the offence criminally responsible for the offence as charged, whether he was capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act or of acting in accordance with an appreciation of the wrongfulness of his act."
Pistorius denies killing Reeva Steenkamp in cold blood.
He says he shot at what he thought was an intruder in his home.
Pistorius will now go to one of South Africa's top mental hospitals.
H