Oscar Pistorius ‘too depressed to testify’
Athlete is in no condition to testify at his sentencing, psychiatrist tells court.
Oscar Pistorius will not be able to take the stand to testify during sentencing proceedings in the North Gauteng High Court, a psychiatrist has testified.
Professor Jonathon Scholtz, testifying for the defence, has told the court: “My opinion is he can’t testify currently, his condition is severe.”
Scholtz, who is a psychiatrist at Weskoppies Hospital, assessed Pistorius in 2014 and again in May 2016.
He told the court that he had spent a total of eight hours consulting with Pistorius in May. He also interviewed Pistorius’s aunt and uncle, as well as his correctional officer.
Scholtz requested interviews with the deceased Reeva Steenkamp’s parents but these were declined through their legal counsel.
He said Pistorius “appeared adequately groomed, anxious and depressed”.
“He appeared to have limited energy and his concentration waivered.”
Scholtz said Pistorius suffered from serious symptoms of depression. He further testified that Pistorius does not have the personality traits associated with anti-social personality disorder or psychophathy.
He described the former Paralympian as being close to his family. He said he and his siblings had “stuck together”, but Pistorius felt the loss of his sister, who he was particularly close to, after she left the country due to the stress of his trial.
Scholtz testified that Pistorius lost his mother when he was fifteen years old, and that this had impacted on this life emotionally.
He noted that he had overheard Pistorius calling his aunt “Mom”.
– African News Agency
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