Pistorius 'not mentally ill'

A panel of psychiatric experts and a psychologist have found that Pistorius was not mentally ill during the shooting of his girl-friend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013.

Pistorius, who has been on trial since March 3 for allegedly murdering Steenkamp, had been ordered by Judge Thokozile Masipa to undergo six weeks of psychiatric tests.

He had been attending daily sessions as an outpatient at Weskoppies Hospital outside Pretoria since May 20.

The evaluation was meant to determine whether he can be held criminally responsible for the killing.

The defense had argued that Pistorius suffers from deep-seated anxiety, based on the testimony of an expert witness.

'Mistake' or murder?

The Olympic and Paralympic double-amputee sprinter has admitted to shooting Reeva Steenkamp with a 9mm pistol through a locked toilet door, but says it was a mistake as he thought she was an intruder coming to attack him in the dead of night.

In his testimonies, Pistorius has described himself as a mental wreck who has had to take anti-depressants since killing Steenkamp. He frequently broke down in court, crying and even vomiting.

The prosecution argues it was murder after the couple had a row on Valentine's Day last year.

He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted of murder. South Africa does not have jury trials, so a verdict will be delivered by the judge after all the evidence has been presented.

ng/ipj (AFP, dpa)