PRETORIA, South Africa -- Oscar Pistorius will undergo psychiatric evaluation after the judge ruled at his murder trial Wednesday that his state of mind when he killed his girlfriend should be assessed by experts, possibly delaying court proceedings for two months.
[b]David Mayo Jersey[/b] . The ruling was prompted by testimony by a psychiatrist on behalf of the defence that the double-amputee Olympic athlete has generalized anxiety disorder and that this may have influenced his judgment when he fatally shot Reeva Steenkamp through a toilet door in his home on Feb. 14, 2013. The chief prosecutor, Gerrie Nel, then requested psychiatric testing -- a move opposed by Pistorius chief lawyer. Judge Thokozile Masipa agreed with the prosecutor, saying it was important to independently assess Pistorius state of mind because the defence might now argue that he was not criminally responsible for the shooting because of his anxiety disorder. "The accused may not have raised the issue that he was not criminally responsible at the time of the incident in so many words, but evidence led on his behalf clearly raised the issue and cannot be ignored," the judge said. Pistorius will likely be evaluated by a panel of psychiatrists at a government facility. Pistorius says he shot Steenkamp by mistake in the pre-dawn hours, thinking there was an intruder in his home. His lawyers have regularly pointed to his fear of violent crime and vulnerability as an amputee as central to his account of a mistaken killing. After meeting with Pistorius on two occasions at the beginning of this month, Dr. Merryll Vorster testified this week that he was "hyper-vigilant" and constantly feared being attacked. But legal analysts said the defence teams decision to introduce Vorsters testimony may have backfired. John Welch, former deputy director of South Africas public prosecuting authority, said Pistorius lawyers may have called the psychiatrist to the stand at such a late stage in the trial to "remedy" the athletes own testimony, which has been viewed as unconvincing. But in testifying that Pistorius was anxious, felt vulnerable to crime and may not have intended to kill Steenkamp, Vorster possibly "went too far" in her description of the psychiatric disorder, according to Welch. Pistorius, 27, stood with his hands clasped in front of him in the courtroom as the judge explained her decision. He could be acquitted if the judge rules he was not criminally responsible for Steenkamps shooting because of a mental illness. A mental disorder could also be used by his defence for a lighter sentence in the event of a conviction. The prosecution says Pistorius killed Steenkamp intentionally after an argument. In asking for the psychiatric evaluation, Nel may be trying to remove grounds for appeal by the defence -- on the basis of a psychiatric disorder -- should he be convicted. Judge Masipa said the court would reconvene on Tuesday to decide on details regarding Pistorius period of observation. In South Africa, it is normally for 30 days. Masipa said it would be preferable that Pistorius be evaluated as an outpatient and return home each day after tests. He is free on bail after being charged with premeditated murder. After his tests, the experts who assess Pistorius would take additional time to compile a report and submit it to the court. That could take another month, raising the possibility of a two-month delay in the trial, which started March 3 and is in its eighth week of proceedings. The judge acknowledged that there would be a significant delay, but said it was necessary. "This is not about anyones convenience, but rather about whether justice has been served," Masipa said. Marius du Toit, a defence lawyer not involved in the case but following it closely, said a panel of three psychiatrists would provide the court with a report on Pistorius, and it may also deal with the issue of his fitness to stand trial at all. Despite the defence teams opposition to the psychiatric evaluation, Pistorius uncle, Arnold Pistorius, said outside the courthouse that the ruling reaffirmed the familys confidence in the justice system. "As a family, we are comforted by the thoroughness and detail of this judgment and Judge Masipas commitment, using every avenue, to ensure a fair trial," Arnold Pistorius said in his prepared statement. ------ Imray reported from Stellenbosch, South Africa.
[b]Donte Jackson Jersey[/b] . The Canadian Football Leagues all-time passing leader said he has not made a final decision, but he will discuss his future with Montreal Alouettes owner Bob Wetenhall on the weekend.
[b]Cam Newton Jersey[/b] . He still wanted out. "It just seemed like the direction they were going didnt fit what I thought my career was going to be," Kesler said. "At the end of the day I want to win a championship and I want to win it now, and four years is a little too long for me.ORLEANS, Ont. -- The Tim Hortons Brier will be held at Calgarys Scotiabank Saddledome in 2015, the finale of a new Triple Crown series unveiled Wednesday by the Canadian Curling Association. The Triple Crown will start with the 2014 Canada Cup, set for Dec. 3-7 at the Encana Arena in Camrose, Alta. It will be followed by the WFG Continental Cup from Jan. 8-11 at the Markin MacPhail Centre International Arena in Calgary and the series will be capped by the 2015 Brier from Feb. 28-March 8. It will be the fourth time the national mens curling championship will be contested at the Saddledome and the seventh time it will be staged in Calgary. "We couldnt be happier to bring these three major curling events to Alberta," CCA chief executive officer Greg Stremlaw said in a release. "Curling fans aall over the province have proven time and time again that they support and love our sport, and they will be treated to some amazing curling during the Triple Crown.
[b]Mario Addison Jersey[/b]. quot; The Saddledome has hosted the Brier in 1997, 2002 and 2009. Calgary also played host in 1948, 1961 and 1980. The 2015 event will be the first time the Brier will feature both a Team Canada entry and a pair of entries from a pre-qualifying round. The 2014 Brier will be held in Kamloops, B.C. The CCA also announced Wednesday that it will take over sole operation and decision-making for future editions of the Continental Cup. It was formerly a joint collaboration between the CCA, World Curling Federation and USA Curling. The CCA will take control following the 2014 competition, set for Jan. 16-19 in Las Vegas.
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