Four to evaluate Oscar at Weskoppies

“[The evaluation will] inquire whether the accused… was at the time of the commission of the offence criminally responsible,” Judge Thokozile Masipa said.

“The accused [will] be an outpatient at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital.”

The specialists would also determine if Pistorius could appreciate the “wrongfulness of his actions and act according to that appreciation”.

Three psychiatrists and one clinical psychologist would evaluate Pistorius to determine whether his general anxiety disorder and his disability had an effect on him when he shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year.

The three psychiatrists appointed are Dr L Fine for the defence, Prof HW Pretorius for the court, and one from Weskoppies, who has not been named.

The clinical psychologist is J Scholtz.

In terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, only two psychiatrists should be appointed to evaluate a patient, unless the prosecutor applies for the appointment of a third one.

Factors to be considered for the appointment of a third psychiatrist include the seriousness of the offence and the complexity of the evidence.

Whether the accused wants the court to appoint a psychiatrist of his or her choice and the history of the accused are also factors.

On Wednesday, Barry Roux SC, for Pistorius, told the court they would apply to have a psychologist present.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in psychotherapy and can prescribe medicine. A psychologist usually deals with counselling and mental health therapy. A psychiatrist’s focus is primarily on disorders.

Pistorius was ordered to go to Weskoppies, in Pretoria, at 9am on May 26 and every weekday thereafter. He would stay until 4pm, or until he had been excused, said Masipa. The evaluation would not exceed 30 days, she said.

The psychiatric report would be handed to the registrar of the court, the National Prosecuting Authority, and the defence once completed.

Masipa postponed the matter to June 30. She said records of the trial proceedings would be made available to the specialists.

Last Monday, forensic psychiatrist Merryll Vorster, testifying for the defence, told the court Pistorius had general anxiety disorder. Based on this, the State applied to have him referred.

General anxiety disorder is a common anxiety disorder that involves chronic worrying, nervousness, and tension.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel had argued sending him for observation was necessary in case his disorder affected his behaviour when he shot Steenkamp.

In terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, a person who commits a crime and suffers from a mental illness or mental defect which makes them incapable of appreciating the wrongfulness of the act; or acting in accordance with an appreciation of the wrongfulness of the act, shall not be criminally responsible for the act.

Based on the outcome of the assessment, Pistorius could be detained in a psychiatric hospital or prison in terms of the Mental Health Act.

He could also be treated as an outpatient, released subject to conditions from the court, or released unconditionally.

Pistorius is charged with the murder of Steenkamp. He shot her dead through the locked door of his toilet in his Pretoria home. He has denied guilt, saying he thought she was an intruder about to open the door and attack him. The State contends he shot her during an argument.

He is also charged with three contraventions of the Firearms Control Act – one of illegal possession of ammunition and two of discharging a firearm in public. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges as well.

– Sapa