Pistorius Trial Delayed Until June 30

(ATR) Psychiatric evaluations will push the trial for Olympian Oscar Pistorius back until June 30.

Compartir
Compartir articulo
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 14:  Oscar Pistorius leaves North Gauteng High Court after the judge ordered that he should undergo mental evaluation on May 14, 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa has ordered Pistorius should undergo a mental evaluation as an out-patient at a clinic. Pistorius, aged 27, is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius denies the allegation claiming he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder inside their home on Valentines Day 2013.  (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 14: Oscar Pistorius leaves North Gauteng High Court after the judge ordered that he should undergo mental evaluation on May 14, 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa has ordered Pistorius should undergo a mental evaluation as an out-patient at a clinic. Pistorius, aged 27, is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius denies the allegation claiming he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder inside their home on Valentines Day 2013. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Psychiatric evaluations will delay the trial for Olympian Oscar Pistorius until June 30.

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

The Paralympian must undergo one month of psychiatric tests starting Monday, May 26.

Pistorius will not be committed to a medical facility.The double amputee will report each weekday starting next Monday, but will have evenings and weekends free.

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

"A doubt has been created," Judge Thokozile Masipa told the court on May 14, ruling that the tests are necessary for her to reach a verdict on the matter.

"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."

A panel of experts will conduct the testing, submitting a final report to the court to be analyzed. CNN legal analyst Kelly Phelps said the panel will have three options: They could conclude that Pistorius was mentally incapacitated when he shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day of 2013.

The trial would end in a verdict of not guilty by reason of mental illness and the Olympic sprinter would becommitted to a mental institution until he is ruled "not to be a danger."

The experts may find that he had "diminished responsibility" at the time he fatally shot Steenkamp. The trial would then resume, and the panel's finding would be taken into consideration during sentencing if Pistorius is found guilty.

Or, the doctors could disagree with the defense psychiatrist altogether and say that the Olympian's mental health is not an issue at all.

On March 3, the Paralympian 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.