Pistorius 'Not Mentally Ill' As Trial Resumes

Why Would Prosecution Seek Pistorius Tests?

Updated: 7:15pm UK, Tuesday 13 May 2014

On the face of it, prosecutor Gerrie Nel's decision to request that Oscar Pistorius undergo psychiatric tests may seem an unusual one.

If the athlete were found to be suffering from a mental illness, he could be held not criminally responsible for his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp's death.

Ultimately, he could be found not guilty of premeditated murder - a charge he denies - by reason of "mental illness or intellectual disability".

It may be, however, that Mr Nel is seeking to prove Pistorius is of sound mind, cutting off at the pass any possibility of his opposite number, Barry Roux, claiming he was unable to distinguish between right and wrong or act accordingly on Valentine's Day last year.

The prosecution has already claimed the decision to call forensic psychiatrist Dr Merryl Vorster at this late stage in the trial - after Pistorius himself had given evidence - may be a "fallback option" for the defence in the event of a guilty verdict.

Mr Nel described Pistorius as "not the most impressive witness" and claimed the court had heard "three defences" already.

Sending the 27-year-old for mental health tests at this stage could also eliminate the possibility of an appeal by the defence on the grounds that Pistorius' mental health had not been fully and adequately assessed.

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