The sentencing hearing for convicted killer Oscar Pistorius began in the North Gauteng High Court on Monday with a psychologist testifying that the double amputee is too depressed to testify in his defence.
The court is reviewing his sentence after the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein found the double amputee guilty of murder and overturned his culpable homicide conviction. The matter was sent back to Judge Thokozile Masipa who will be required to re-sentence him following the hearing which ends on Friday.
The Paralympian who has already served one year in jail for killing his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013 could be sentenced to a further 15 years imprisonment.
However, his psychologist Jonanthan Scholtz on Monday said Pistorius showed signs of a post-traumatic stress disorder, an anxiety disorder, and a depressive disorder. “His condition is severe,” said Scholtz who believes Pistorius has deteriorated since 2014 when he last met him.
Details also emerged about his time in prison, where he complained that he felt like a caged animal. Scholtz said Pistorius was held in “virtual isolation” and prison warders brought visitors to view the former Olympic star.
