Oscar ‘was assaulted in prison’
The athlete told clinical psychologist Prof Jonathan Scholtz that he was assaulted in prison last year.
Oscar Pistorius was allegedly assaulted in Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria last year.
This was revealed by clinical psychologist Jonathan Scholtz in the city’s Pretoria High Court on Monday when he testified in sentencing proceedings for the paralympian, who has been convicted of murder.
“Oscar Pistorius was fearful of the prison section. He said someone came to his section and assaulted him,” Scholtz said based on a consultation he had with the murder convict.
He recommended that the athlete be hospitalised as his psychological condition had worsened.
Nel: I have to put it to you (Scholtz) that you were biased in your report.#OscarPistorius
— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) June 13, 2016
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said it was the first time he had heard of the assault claim.
“It was not reported. The accused lodged many complaints and complained often, but this was not reported,” Nel told the court.
According to the psychologist, Pistorius had heard of a rape in the prison and once woke up to a body of a man hanging in a doorway.
“He was traumatised by the suicide. He said the body was hanging in the doorway for a while before it was removed.”
A distraught Pistorius sat in the dock with his face buried in his hands as Scholtz recounted his prison experiences last year.
Nel moves to Scholtz report of #OsarPistorius witnessing a suicide. "Did he find the man?"
Scholtz: "He said he saw him."— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) June 13, 2016
Scholtz said Pistorius’ condition had worsened since their last consultation in 2014, revealing that the athlete was on medication for depression and anxiety.
Nel told the court illegal medication was found in Pistorius’ cell during inspections last year.
Scholtz responded: “The medication found in his cell last year was not illegal substances but medication for his depression and anxiety.”
During cross examination by Nel, Scholtz said Pistorius talked about his “intention to shoot”.
Asked if Pistorius indicated during consultation whether he intentionally shot at the door knowing there was someone in the toilet, Scholtz said: “Yes. If you put it that way. He (Pistorius) now knows that that is exactly what he did.”
Pistorius will be sentenced again after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) found he was guilty of murder and not culpable homicide as previously concluded by Judge Thokozile Masipa.
The hearing has been scheduled for the entire week, with sentencing by Masipa expected on Friday.
The 29-year-old could be sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison after convicted of shooting dead his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013.
He was initially sentenced to five years in prison.
#OscarPistorius in court not far from the Steenkamp family @RekordNewspaper pic.twitter.com/iUmGl0Yj9v
— Rorisang Kgosana (@therealrorisang) June 13, 2016
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