Judge Orders Psychiatric Tests for Pistorius

Oscar Pistorius must undergo one month of psychiatric tests before his murder trial can continue.

The judge ruled that further tests are needed on the embroiled Paralympian to support recent testimony of an anxiety disorder.

"A doubt has been created," Judge Thokozile Masipa said Wednesday, ruling that the tests are necessary for her to reach a verdict on the matter.

Judge Masipa ordered the tests despite another lengthy delay in the trial.

"This is not about anyone's convenience, but about whether justice has been served," Judge Masipa said.

"The aim of the referral is not to punish the accused twice."

The court will reconvene next Tuesday to determine where Pistorius will be tested and when the psychological evaluation will begin.

A panel of experts will conduct the testing, submitting a final report to the court to be analyzed, CNN legal analysts said.

The judge will then make a ruling on Pistorius’ mental health, which will impact the verdict. If Pistorius’ mental health had an impact on his actions leading to the shooting of Reeva Steenkamp, he could end up in a mental health institution until he is deemed safe to return to society.

Kelly Phelps, a criminologist and law lecturer at the University of Cape Town, told CNN the panel of experts may not even reach an agreement, and the report may be disregarded by the judge, prosecution, or defense team.

On March 3, the Olympic sprinter 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 by Aaron Bauer

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.