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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Oscar Pistorius murder trial began a new phase Monday when the Olympic athlete arrived at a state psychiatric hospital for a monthlong evaluation whose terms have been described by some as favourable to the double-amputee runner. Brandon Meriweather Gold Jersey . Pistorius, who killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his home last year, sat in the passenger seat of a black sedan and spoke on a cellphone as he arrived behind a police van at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria, the South African capital. The judge who will deliver a verdict in the case asked the hospital to determine if Pistorius had a mental disorder at the time of the shooting, which could affect whether he should be held criminally responsible. Pistorius must arrive by 9 a.m. and can leave by 4 p.m. each weekday, and has weekends off under an order from Judge Thokozile Masipa. Pistorius, who is free on bail, has been staying at the upscale Pretoria home of his uncle. Pistorius outpatient status troubles some experts who say 24-hour observation is common in state psychiatric facilities. In the evenings, nursing staff can get additional insights into a patients mental state that complement formal questioning and other tests during the day, say the experts. "There is a benefit" to the after-hours observation, said Lee-Ann Hartman, a clinical psychologist who has worked in state psychiatric facilities. Masipas instruction came after a psychiatrist testified that Pistorius, who has said he feels particularly vulnerable because of his disability and long-held worry about crime, had an anxiety disorder that could have contributed to his shooting of Steenkamp on Feb. 14, 2013. The judge was responding to a prosecution request for an independent inquiry, based on concern the defence would argue Pistorius was not guilty because of mental illness. Prosecutors allege Pistorius killed Steenkamp intentionally after a late-night fight, but the athlete says he mistook his girlfriend for a dangerous intruder hiding in a toilet cubicle when he shot her multiple times through the door. There is a long waiting list for observation cases at state psychiatric hospitals and Pistorius assessment will be faster because he does not need a hospital bed, said Gerhard Grundling, chair of the Clinical Psychology Forum, a South African group. He said the observation will likely include blood tests and possible brain scans and that more specialists, including a neurologist, can get involved as needed. Additionally, in such observations, social workers gather "collateral information" in interviews with friends, family and others, according to Grundling. Other trials had been delayed for nearly a year because of patient backlogs at state mental health facilities, said Jack Bloom, an opposition member of the provincial legislature. "Everyone should be equal before the law, no matter how famous," Bloom said, urging authorities to explain the runners "preferential treatment" as an outpatient receiving speedy observation. Pistorius faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of premeditated murder. Trial proceedings resume June 30. The high-security Weskoppies hospital was called the Pretoria Lunatic Asylum long ago. Accounts described crowded, unhygienic conditions and staffing shortages there during the 1899-1902 Anglo-Boer war, though conditions later improved. In the 1950s, two medical experts at Weskoppies wrote in South Africas medical journal that it was undesirable to house criminal suspects together with mentally ill patients who had not been charged with any crime, but noted the advantage of 24-hour scrutiny. "Under these conditions," they wrote, "any attempt to evade criminal responsibility by simulation of mental disorder is fraught with extreme difficulty." Robert Griffin III Jersey . Its been a successful Games for Canada, which will finish near the top of the medal standings again. From repeat gold medal winners to multiple medal winners to undefeated teams to acts that define the Olympic spirit, there are many solid candidates who could be considered to receive the honour. Sean Taylor Jersey . Owens was roughed up in Torontos 20-9 defeat to Montreal on Tuesday, needing treatment twice after hurting his neck and taking a hard shot to the abdomen. In other news from Fridays practice, Jerious Norwood took most of the snaps at running back for Curtis Steele. Norwood also did some returning, although Milanovich said returns would likely be done by committee. CARDIFF -- Kim Bo-kyung headed in a stoppage-time equalizer to give Cardiff a 2-2 draw against Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday and deny David Moyes team a chance to move into the top four. Kim met a free kick at the near post to rescue a point for the Welsh club and Wayne Rooney then wasted a great chance to net a winner moments later. Rooney had put United ahead in the 15th minute with a shot from inside the area that deflected off a defender and into the net. The striker had been lucky to remain on the pitch earlier when he kicked out at Jordon Mutch but escaped with just a booking. Former United player Fraizer Campbell equalized for Cardiff in the 33rd, but Patrice Evra restored the visitors lead when he headed in a corner just before halftime. Campbell hit thhe crossbar with a delightful chip over David de Gea as the hosts searched for the equalizer, while Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall dived quickly to push out a goalbound header by Marouane Fellaini to keep them in the game. Sonny Jurgensen Jersey. After a shaky start to the season, United is unbeaten in 10 games, but Kims late header slowed its revival and left the team sixth in the standings. Cardiff, which beat Manchester City at home earlier this season, is in 15th with 13 points from 12 games. Rooney had a chance to steal the win for United just after Kims equalizer when he suddenly found himself alone with Marshall, but opted not to shoot and tried to pull the ball back for Danny Welbeck instead. However, the pass was much too weak and Marshall dove down to scoop it up. ' ' ' |
