Oscar Pistorius Update: Defense Seeks Psychiatric Care Instead Of Jail Time

Former Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius attended a sentencing hearing for the convicted murder of his former girlfriend, Reeve Steenkamp, in South Africa at the Pretoria High Court.

Clinical psychologist Prof. Jonathan Scholtz said Pistorius suffered from “major depression” and should be sentenced to community service rather than jail time because he is a “broken” man.

“Since the offence he has developed a serious psychiatric condition which has become worse over the past two years,” Scholtz told the court.

The doctor testified that Pistorius was so traumatized that he could no longer bare the sound of a firearms and has sold all of his weapons. He stated that it is unlikely that Pistorius will commit any violent acts in the future.

State prosecutor Gerrie Nel fiercely attacked the defense including the assertion that Pistorius was unfit to testify in court. Nel brought to light Pistorius’s recent interview on BBC, ITV questioning how he was able to do one and not the other.

The prosecutor told the court that Pistorius only regretted the effect killing Steenkamp had had on his own life. He noted that Pistorius showed a lack of remorse during the trial and reminded the court of “temper tantrums” thrown by Pistorius while he was in jail.

Pistorius was originally sentenced to five years of jail time on a charge of manslaughter. After serving one year in prison and anticipating the house arrest portion of the sentence the charge was upgraded to murder in by the South African Supreme Court. The new conviction of murder, which was denied appealed, has a minimum sentencing of 15 years.

Prosecutors are seeking a long jail term for the defendant and have fueled their case with the argument that Pistorius was a jealous and violent boyfriend.

Pistorius’ defense argued that when he shot and killed Steenkamp through the bathroom door in his Pretoria home, he mistook her for an intruder. The defense was furthered by the argument that the Olympian felt vulnerable, as he did not have his prosthetic legs on at the time.

Steenkamp’s father, Barry Steenkamp, who has been absent throughout the case due to poor health, is in court and may testify later this week.

Original trial judge Thokozile Masipa will hear arguments from both prosecution and defense this week. The court is expected to reach a sentencing by June 17.