Trial Discussion Thread #37 - 14.05.12 Day 30

[JudgeJudi]

Nel must be getting really excited now. He's getting lots of fuel for the fire.

 

[zwiebel]

V: When exposed to a threat, Mr P is more likely to respond with a fight response than a flight response, because of his physical disability....

 

[Trooper]

now.. the incident of feb 14th should be seen in the light of mr P s vulnerability, his general anxiety disorder, which would have been present on the day of the incident. he is certainly remorseful about the event, he feels guilty about her death. his disorder is accelerated ..

ooo. roux has finished Nel is up.

 

[patCee]

Generalised Anxiety Disorder, increasing since childhood. Pervasive and affects all aspects of his functioning including his disability so 'fight' response rather than 'flight' response.

In view of how this disorder resulted in murder, it sounds like he's a dangerous person to me and needs locking up, IMO.

 

[zwiebel]

V: (re Reeva's shooting) I believe his physical disability and his generalized anxiety disorder should be taken into account. He is certainly remorseful....

Nel up.

 

[Freya1977]

Wow Nel was up in record time!

 

[Suthrnqt]

Gee, I wonder if circumcision will now become the new excuse for male murderers....

Get outta my mind, Val. I was just gonna post something very similar.

 

[AlexUK]

Is the States psych expert there in court does anyone know?

 

[ColonelMustard]

I wish that after this witness' testimony, it would be court procedure to bring someone in to tell us all about Reeva.

 

[K.T]

V: ....asked to remove his prosthesis. He was clearly very embarrassed. Balance without is pros is clearly very poor. He was clearly very vulnerable.

Not as vulnerable as Reeva Steenkamp who was amputated first in the arm, then by the expanding bullet destroying her hip and finally by the bullet which blew out of her brain.

Or a vulnerable random person like an intruder, or the other resident in the house, Frank, who may have been shot dead at anytime by Pistorius.

I think Shrien Dewani might be wanting to hire Dr. Merryl Vorster.

 

[kaos]

He was aware of how vulnerable he was on his stumps yet chose to walk and additional 20 or 30 feet into a dark room rather than just walk a few feet towards the bedroom door and exit the 'unsafe environment'.

 

[zwiebel]

N: Are you saying it (gen anxiety disorder) affected his ability to tell right from wrong?

V: Certainly not.

Nel cracking up because he forgot the word he wanted to use....

 

[jay-jay]

Nel up!

 

[sleuth-d-]

nel has the rock/hard place nailed on again... mental illness/not mental illness...

 

[zwiebel]

N: Is it possible he had diminished responsibility at the time?

V:....his reaction would be different. I'm not saying he suffered from a mental illness.

 

[ColonelMustard]

V: "Your Ladyship"

M'lady just got a promotion!

 

[DebinGA]

OP will always be an amputee, thus always more apt to react to fear unreasonably and pose a danger to others.

 

[zwiebel]

Ha! Nel saying OP should be sectioned for examination, if what she says is true!

V: It is a possibility that the court can consider...

OP will be furious at this prospect....

 

[fox1lady]

He was distressed, crying and retching. He feels devastated that he killed his girlfriend. She believes his feelings were genuine.

I know of men who act the same way after they've battered their girlfriends/wives to within an inch of her life.

I too believe that OP's initial crying, retching and distress were genuine, I just don't think they are still.

If he doesn't got locked up in prison for the safety of others then he should surely spend a long time locked away in a psychiatric hospital.

 

[JudgeJudi]

Just a reminder that Janet Henzen-du Toit, one of the Assessors, has an Honours degree in psychology and Master's degree in criminal justice and criminal prosecution. She is working on a doctorate in criminal law, criminal prosecution, evidence and constitutional interpretation.

http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com/democracy/3759-assessors-can-decide-pistorius-s-fate