#OscarPistorius suffering from depression, court told
Oscar Pistorius is suffering from depression, anxiety and stress and is not able to testify at his sentencing for murdering Reeva Steenkamp, a psychologist told a court.
|||Pretoria - Oscar Pistorius will not be able to take the stand to testify during sentencing proceedings in the North Gauteng High Court.
Professor Jonathon Scholtz, testifying for the defence, has told the court: “My opinion is he can’t testify currently – his condition is severe.”
Scholtz, who is a psychiatrist at Weskoppies hospital, assessed Pistorius in 2014, and again in May 2016.
He told the court that he spent a total of eight hours consulting with Pistorius in the month of May. He also interviewed Pistorius’s aunt and uncle, as well as his correctional officer.
Scholtz requested interviews with the deceased Reeva Steenkamp’s parents, but these were declined through their legal counsel.
He said Pistorius “appeared adequately groomed, anxious and depressed”.
“He appeared to have limited energy and his concentration waivered.”
Scholtz said he suffered from serious symptoms from depression. He also said he does not have the personality traits associated with anti-social personality disorder and or psychophathy.
He described the former Paralympian as close to his family.
He said he had “stuck together” with his siblings, but had felt the loss of his sister, who he was particularly close to, as she had left the country due to the stress of the trial.
Scholtz testified that Pistorius lost his mother when he was fifteen years old, and that had impacted this life emotionally.
He noted that he overheard Pistorius calling his aunt “Mom”.
African News Agency