Oscar Pistorius is a “broken” man who should not be jailed for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a psychologist has told a court in South Africa, while a prosecutor says he has shown no remorse.
The 29-year-old Paralympic gold medallist, known as the “Blade Runner” for the carbon-fibre prosthetics he wore when racing, faces a minimum 15-year jail term after his manslaughter conviction for the 2013 killing was upgraded on appeal.
Jonathan Scholtz, a psychologist called by Pistorius’ lawyer Barry Roux, told the sentencing hearing that the athlete, who attended in a dark suit and at times sat with his head in his hands, was on medication for depression, anxiety and insomnia.
“One would describe him as broken. In my opinion his current condition warrants hospitalisation,” Mr Scholtz said, noting that Pistorius was not in the right frame of mind to testify.
“Since 2013, he becomes traumatised when he hears the sound of gunfire.
“He never wants to touch a firearm again.”
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel questioned Mr Scholtz’s assertion that Pistorius was not fit to testify, saying he had given a TV interview.
The hour-long interview with Britain’s ITV is due to air on June 24.
Pistorius’ experience in jail
Mr Nel told the court Pistorius had shown no remorse for the murder, and that he only “feels sorry for himself”.
Pistorius had had temper tantrums in jail and had once banged a table when he got upset with a nurse, Mr Nel said, asking Mr Scholtz why he ignored Pistorius’ actions.
Mr Scholtz said Pistorius may have acted violently as he was still adapting to prison and affected by medication.
“Why would you select only positive views for your report. I find that in your report you are biased towards the accused,” Mr Nel said, shortly before the court adjourned for the day.
Pistorius’ lawyer Mr Roux declined to comment on the day’s proceedings, as did Ms Steenkamp’s family.
Mr Scholtz said Pistorius had been assaulted once in jail but Mr Nel rejected this, saying the complaint register in which Pistorius often raised issues had no report of such an incident.
Mr Nel also disputed a claim by the psychologist that Pistorius was traumatised after he saw a prisoner who had hanged himself, saying it was unlikely that he could have seen the victim.
Luvuyo Mfaku, a spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority, said its position was “to argue for the prescribed sentence to be imposed, that is 15 years”.
The case has prompted a fierce debate in a country beset by high levels of violent crime against women.
Some rights groups have said the athlete has received preferential treatment.
Court hears Pistorius suffering financially
Johannesburg-based lawyer and legal analyst Ulrich Roux said the fact that Pistorius would not testify was crucial.
“I think it would have served them better to let him testify, and even if he breaks down, the state can take into consideration his frame of mind,” he said.
“In my opinion that’s going to count against him.”
Pistorius was at first given a five-year sentence for culpable homicide, South Africa’s equivalent of manslaughter, for shooting Steenkamp through a locked toilet door in his Pretoria home on February 14 three years ago.
He had argued he mistook her for an intruder.
The conviction was later upgraded to murder after an appeal heard by the Supreme Court, which ruled in March that Pistorius had exhausted all his legal options and could no longer appeal.
The original trial judge, Thokozile Masipa, started hearing the pre-sentencing arguments at Pretoria High Court on Monday.
State prosecutors who lodged the appeal say Pistorius intended to kill Steenkamp and that the law graduate and model had fled to the toilet during an argument.
A final ruling on his sentence is expected by the end of this week.
Mr Scholtz told the hearing, which was attended by Ms Steenkamp’s mother, that Pistorius had suffered financially and found asking others for assistance humiliating.
Pistorius lost millions of dollars in endorsements and sponsorships after reaching the pinnacle of his fame in London 2012, when he became the first double amputee to run in the Olympics, reaching the 400 metres semi-finals.
Outside the court, a group held up placards backing the athlete, one of them with the message: “Worldwide supporters of Oscar Pistorius”.
Jacqueline Mofokeng, a spokeswoman for the Women’s League of the ruling African National Congress party, which has attended the trial in support of Steenkamp, said: “I don’t think he has remorse. We are calling for the 15 years without parole.”
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
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Top Comments
He should feel traumatised by the sound of gunfire. He murdered his girlfriend with a gun. It should haunt him for the rest of his life.
I often wonder about the mindset of his supporters who don't know him personally but just seem so very starstruck they are willing to do mental gymnastics over the fact he murdered his girlfriend in an angry rage.