https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLJhDTvFa_Q

A South African court on Wednesday ordered Olympic and paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius to be evaluated for mental illness — a move that could determine whether he lacked criminal capacity when he shot and killed his girlfriend, NewsOfTheWorld reports.

The prosecution asked for the evaluation after a psychiatrist told the court
Monday that Pistorius, who is on trial for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp on Feb. 14 2013, suffered from an anxiety disorder.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel wanted to prevent the 27-year-old sprinter, who faces life in prison if convicted, from later appealing based on a disturbed mental condition.

Defense lawyer Barry Roux argued against the motion, saying it was premature to have the evaluation before he called other witnesses.

Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled that a mental assessment would ensure that Pistorius gets a fair trial, adding that she thought it was strange that the defense opposed the motion.

Pistorius, who has frequently vomited into a bucket and wept during the trial, showed no emotion as he stood in the dock listening to Masipa’s ruling.