The sentencing for convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius began yesterday, with most of the talk focusing on a report from psychologist Jonathan Scholtz, saying the paralympian was ‘not fit’ to take the stand. News24’s Ahmed Areff compiled the top 10 quotes from Monday’s proceedings, a great way to keep you up to speed if you’ve been following the case since 14 February 2013. – Stuart Lowman
By Ahmed Areff
Pretoria – Only one witness took the stand during the first day of sentencing proceedings for convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius on Monday.
The proceedings largely focused on a report by psychologist Jonathan Scholtz, for the defence, on the former Paralympian’s mental well-being.
In December last year, the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned Pistorius’ conviction of culpable homicide. It found he murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14 2013 and sent the matter back to the high court to sentence him.
The matter is set to continue until Friday.
Here are 10 stand-out quotes from Monday’s proceedings:
- “He showed signs of a post-traumatic stress disorder, an anxiety disorder, and a depressive disorder… Currently, I don’t think he is able to testify, his condition is severe.” – Scholtz on Pistorius.
- “He [Pistorius] often was approached by beautiful girls like models, but never reacted to their offers. Many girls wanted to be with him because of his fame and the media attention he received.” – Scholtz.
- “His fall from grace was immense. Although he received support from many quarters, he was vilified and attacked by many. He was unable to properly mourn the loss of the deceased.” – Scholtz.
- “If anything, the experiences of the past two years have deepened his spirituality. He has found some solace that the deceased [Steenkamp] is with God.” – Scholtz on Pistorius’ religious beliefs.
- “He never wants to touch and handle a firearm again. He has sold his firearms. He [becomes] traumatised at the sound of gunfire, even if it’s in a film he is watching.” – Scholtz on Pistorius’ current alleged stance on firearms.
- “Overhearing the rape of a young man and finding the man had hung himself with the bed cloth the next morning.” – Scholtz mentioning one of the “traumatic and humiliating” experiences Oscar had while incarcerated.
- “That did not happen,” Prosecutor Gerrie Nel to Scholtz, during cross examination, about Pistorius overhearing the rape and finding that the man had committed suicide.
- Â “That’s the first version of an intentional shooting that we’ve had in this court,” – Nel, when after several arguments and objections Scholtz responded in the affirmative to the question of whether or not Pistorius indicated to him that he intentionally shot at the door, intending to kill.
- “He confronted an investigator, Colonel [Mike] van Aardt directly, saying ‘please give us space and privacy, you didn’t do your job in any case’. That’s not a person who’s given up on life.That’s a person in charge.” – Nel countering Scholtz’s claim that Pistorius is a broken man who has lost all hope and that his condition has deteriorated.
- “Centre management reports that Mr Pistorius struggled to adapt and was aggressive and violent towards officials in the first month.” – Â Nel, referring to a statement in a report by Kgosi Mampuru’s counselling psychologist. She wrote that Pistorius’ verbal aggression was a further indication of his explosive temperament.
#OscarPistorius — leaves the court after day one of his sentencing hearing. He walks right past me. pic.twitter.com/muvSRXo7lA
— Milton Nkosi (@nkosi_milton) June 13, 2016
News 24
