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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOops! Pistorius was not mentally ill when he shot girlfriend, experts conclude
Off the prison for Pissy!
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/30/oscar-pistorius-mental-illness-reeva-steenkamp
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A panel of mental health experts has concluded that Oscar Pistorius was not suffering from a mental illness when he killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his home last year, the chief prosecutor at the athlete's murder trial said.
The evaluation came after a psychiatrist, Dr Merryll Vorster, testified for the defence that Pistorius, who has said he feels vulnerable because of his disability and long-held worry about crime, had an anxiety disorder that could have contributed to the killing in the early hours of 14 February 2013. He testified that he opened fire after mistakenly thinking there was a dangerous intruder in the toilet.
Nel has alleged that Pistorius killed Steenkamp after a Valentine's Day argument, and has portrayed the Olympic athlete as a hothead with a love of guns and an inflated sense of entitlement. But he requested an independent inquiry into Pistorius's state of mind, based on concern the defence would argue Pistorius was not guilty because of mental illness.
Pistorius faces 25 years to life in prison if found guilty of premeditated murder, and could also face years in prison if convicted of murder without premeditation or negligent killing. He is free on bail.
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Nel is one hell of a prosecutor.
madokie
(51,076 posts)not whether he is guilty of murder or not, rather if he gets away with murder. Those big ol crocodile tears pretty much did it for me
malaise
(269,067 posts)Nel is covering all his bases.
MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)Murders always try the insanity excuse, and it has to be ruled out. Pistorius better start preparing himself for life in the slammer.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)FreedRadical
(518 posts)Now you have ruined my court TV watching.