A psychiatrist testifying for the Pistorius defense team told the court on Monday that the Paralympian suffers from a generalized anxiety disorder.
Meryl Vorster explained that the Olympian's disorder couldstem from events in his childhood, including his double amputation as an infant and unstable parents. Vorster testified that Pistorius, at such a young age, would have viewed his double amputation as a "traumatic assault."
CNN reports the psychiatrist went on to say the Paralympian's family put pressure on him to "appear normal." Furthermore, Pistorius' mother abused alcoholfollowing his parents' divorce.
Vorster testified that the Olympic sprinter's mother raised him and his siblings "to see their external environment as threatening and added to the anxiety."
On Valentine's Day of 2013, Vorster said Pistorius' general anxiety disorder led him to discern he was in danger even though objectively he was not. She added that the Paralympianwas "devastated that he killed his girlfriend," Reeva Steenkamp.
Vorster also addressed the question of why Pistorius approached the perceived danger on the night of the shooting, rather than trying to get away. The psychiatrist explained that the athlete'sdisability, when facing a fight-or-flight situation, drives him to instinctively fight, not flee.
Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel pressed the psychiatrist on whether Pistorius could recognize right from wrong.
Vorster testified that the Paralympian could distinguish right from wrong. She added that ageneralized anxiety disorder does not imply that one has lost touch with reality.
The trial resumes Tuesday morning, following a request from the prosecution for Pistorius to be placed under psychiatric observation. Judge Thokozile Masipa has yet to rule on Nel's request, but officials say a psychiatric evaluation of Pistorius could delay the trial for a month or more.
On Tuesday, Nel will conclude his cross-examination of Vorster who is predicted to be the last witness the defense calls before closing arguments are made and Judge Thokozile Masipa is left to decide Pistorius' fate.
On March 3, the Olympian pleaded not guilty to one charge of murder and a firearms charge associated with Steenkamp's killing.If convicted, Pistorius faces 25 years in jail.
Written byNicole Bennett
For general comments or questions,click here.
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics isAroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
Últimas Noticias
Sinner-Alcaraz, the duel that came to succeed the three phenomenons
Table tennis: Brazil’s Bruna Costa Alexandre will be Olympic and Paralympic in Paris 2024
Rugby 7s: the best player of 2023 would only play the medal match in Paris
Rhonex Kipruto, owner of the world record for the 10000 meters on the road, was suspended for six years
Katie Ledecky spoke about doping Chinese swimmers: “It’s difficult to go to Paris knowing that we’re going to compete with some of these athletes”
