2014 news: Pistorius murder trial resumes

Sunday, 29 June 2014

Pistorius murder trial resumes

Oscar Pistorius admits killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp but says that he mistook her for an intruder.

Oscar Pistorius is accused of deliberately shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

He says he shot Steenkamp accidentally in his bathroom, mistaking her for an intruder

The Olympic sprinter has been on trial in Pretoria, South Africa, in Steenkamp's murder

The trial was halted in May after the judge ordered Pistorius undergo psychiatric tests

(CNN) -- The trial of Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius resumes in South Africa Monday after being halted for a month-long psychiatric assessment of the athlete.

Pistorius, 27, is accused of murdering his girlfriend, 29-year-old model and law school graduate Reeva Steenkamp, in his home in February 2013.

Pistorius admits shooting Steenkamp through a closed door, killing her, but has told the court in Pretoria that he mistook her for an intruder. He has pleaded not guilty.

The state contends that Pistorius argued with Steenkamp before killing her.

On May 20, trial Judge Thokozile Masipa ordered Pistorius to report for a month-long psychiatric test to establish whether he was criminally responsible for his actions.

Psychiatrist's testimony

Oscar Pistorius reads notes during his trial in Pretoria, South Africa, on Monday, May 12. Pistorius, the first double amputee runner to compete in the Olympics, is accused of intentionally killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in February 2013. Pistorius has pleaded not guilty to murder and three weapons charges.

Ballistics expert Tom "Wollie" Wolmarans testifies for the defense on May 12.

A red laser dot points at bullet holes in the bathroom door for a forensic demonstration during the trial on May 12. Pistorius admits firing four bullets through the closed door, killing Steenkamp, but says he thought he was protecting himself from a burglar.

Pistorius returns to court as his murder trial resumes Monday, May 5, after a break of more than two weeks.

Pistorius gets a hug from a woman as he leaves court in Pretoria on Wednesday, April 16.

Pistorius rubs his eye Tuesday, April 15, after testifying during his murder trial.

Pistorius arrives at the court in Pretoria on Monday, April 14.

Pistorius' sister, Aimee, cries in court as she listens to her brother's testimony on Tuesday, April 8.

June Steenkamp, Reeva Steenkamp's mother, reacts as she listens to Pistorius' testimony on April 8.

Pistorius is hugged by his aunt Lois Pistorius in court on Monday, April 7.

Pistorius sits inside the courtroom as members of his defense team talk in the foreground Friday, March 28.

Pistorius leaves court on March 28. The trial was delayed until April 7 because one of the legal experts who will assist the judge in reaching a verdict was sick.

Steenkamp's mother, right, and family friend Jenny Strydom react in court Tuesday, March 25, during cross-questioning.

Cell phone analyst Francois Moller testifies during the trial on March 25. Questioned by the prosecution, Moller listed in order the calls made and received by Pistorius after he shot Steenkamp.

Pistorius cries as he sits in the dock during his trial on Monday, March 24.

Pistorius talks to defense attorney Barry Roux on March 24.

Pistorius holds his head while members of his family talk behind him on Tuesday, March 18.

Steenkamp's mother, wearing the white collared shirt, looks on while a police officer takes notes in court March 18.

Pistorius is hugged by his aunt Lois on March 18.

Pistorius takes notes Monday, March 17, as his murder trial enters its third week.

Pistorius covers his head as he listens to forensic evidence Thursday, March 13.

Forensic investigator Johannes Vermeulen, left, is questioned during the trial March 13.

Pistorius listens to questions during his trial on Wednesday, March 12.

A police officer takes part in a court reconstruction March 12. A police forensic expert said Pistorius was on the stumps of his amputated legs when he knocked down a locked toilet door with a cricket bat to reach his shot girlfriend. That counters the track star's assertion he was wearing his prosthetic legs at the time. Defense attorney Barry Roux countered by suggesting that even with his prosthetic legs on, Pistorius would not be swinging a bat at the same height as an able-bodied person.

Pistorius listens to cross-questioning on Monday, March 10.

Friends of Steenkamp's family watch Pistorius during his trial on March 7.

Pistorius covers his ears on Thursday, March 6, as a witness speaks about the morning Steenkamp was killed.

Pistorius' sister, Aimee, right, speaks with members of Steenkamp's family on March 6.

Pistorius sits in court on the third day of his trial Wednesday, March 5.

Pistorius appears on the second day of his trial Tuesday, March 4.

Members of the media work during a break in proceedings March 4.

Pistorius talks with Roux inside the court on March 4.

Pistorius speaks with his legal representatives on March 4.

Pistorius is escorted out of the court Monday, March 3, after the first day of his murder trial.

People try to get a glimpse of Pistorius as he leaves the court building on March 3.

Pistorius is seen shortly after arriving for his trial on March 3.

Pistorius walks into the courtroom on March 3.

Pistorius takes a drink of water March 3 during his trial.

The case has captivated South Africa. Here, Lauren Wentzel watches the proceedings from her home outside Cape Town on March 3.

June Steenkamp arrives at the court building for the start of the trial.

Pistorius' relatives wait inside the courtroom on March 3.

People at the court building wait for Pistorius' arrival on March 3.

Oscar Pistorius murder trial

Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial

Pistorius begins mental evaluation

Pistorius evidence revealed

How will Pistorius evaluation play out?

Pistorius trial on hold for mental exams

The testing was triggered by the testimony of a psychiatrist who said that the sprinter has suffered from generalized anxiety disorder since he was an infant, stemming partly from the amputation of both of his lower legs because of a genetic defect.

The disorder meant Pistorius had "excessive" concerns about security and felt threatened even when, objectively, he was not, Dr. Merryll Vorster testified on May 12.

After Vorster's testimony, prosecutor Gerrie Nel filed a motion asking the judge to require psychiatric tests, arguing that if there was any chance the defendant's mental health was an issue, the court must "err on the side of caution."

Nel's extremely unusual move was essentially an effort to maneuver the court into considering an insanity or "capacity" defense even though the athlete's legal team is not mounting one, CNN legal analyst Kelly Phelps said.

Phelps said Nel appeared to be placing a high-stakes bet that experts would disagree with Vorster's evidence.

Pistorius' lead defense lawyer, Barry Roux, argued against the tests, describing Nel's reading of the law as "unfortunate."

But Masipa ordered the evaluation, saying the defense's act of putting a psychiatrist on the stand had raised the question of the athlete's mental health.

Possible outcomes

An expert panel of doctors has been evaluating Pistorius since May 26.

If the doctors find that Pistorius was mentally incapacitated when he shot Steenkamp, the trial will immediately end in a verdict of not guilty by reason of mental illness.

That would lead to the athlete being committed to a mental institution until he was ruled not to be a danger.

But the trial will continue if the doctors disagree with the defense psychiatrist and say that Pistorius' mental health was not a problem at all.

A finding that Pistorius had "diminished responsibility" would also see the trial proceed, with the experts' finding taken into consideration during sentencing if the athlete was found guilty.

The experts might not all agree with each other, and lawyers on either side could disagree with their report and the final decision on how to act on it lies with the judge.

Verdict

Depending on the outcome, the defense will continue with its case, calling witnesses.

At the trial's conclusion, Masipa will have to decide whether Pistorius genuinely made a mistake or killed Steenkamp intentionally.

If she does not believe the athlete thought there was an intruder, she will find him guilty of murder and sentence him to at least 15 years in prison and possibly life. South Africa does not have the death penalty.

If Masipa accepts that Pistorius did not know Steenkamp was the person he was shooting at, she could find him guilty of culpable homicide, a lesser charge than murder, or acquit him, according to CNN legal analyst Kelly Phelps.

A verdict of culpable homicide would leave the sentence at Masipa's discretion.

Read: 13 things to know as case resumes

Read: Judge lays down rules for Pistorius psychiatric tests

Read: Is Oscar Pistorius crazy? State wants tests

Read: What life's like in a South African prison

Read: Case highlights South African gun culture

Read: Oscar Pistorius' affidavit to court in full