Trial Discussion Thread #37 - 14.05.12 Day 30

[BritB]

Many thanks for your welcome everyone...I am out of the house and trying to get online in a cafe and not having much success! Seems I am missing a very important part of the trial but will get online properly later and catch up on here.

 

[Gbtaketwo]

Thanks, I thought it may have been generalized anxiety disorder. You are quite right it is extremely common. But to be diagnosed as a mental condition, it has to be 'excessive, intrusive, persistent and debilitating'...I don't think these apply to Oscar.

I don't either but I guess it is something that should be ruled out one way or another otherwise it could be used at appeal ?

 

[Forensics]

Does anyone know what kind of 'personality and behavioural' changes are associated with encephalitis, as per this article? Could a loss of impulse control be one of them?

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/encephalitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Dr V mentioned OP had the infection, but not if it caused any lasting effects.

http://www.encephalitis.info/inform...halitis/emotional-changes-after-encephalitis/

Amongst the changes listed are Emotional Lability, Frustration and Anger, Perception of Emotion, Changes in self-concept and Anxiety.

 

[BritsKate]

:sigh: I think, after following this bloody case, I need to seek out a psychologist myself. This trial has been the craziest I've ever seen.

 

[lithgow1]

Dr Merryl Vorster agreed with an alleged ex-wife murderer that he had amnesia while he "stabbed her repeatedly."

She says semi-autism, which he clarified as 'psychogenic amnesia' can last for a few minutes, "which explained why Alexander had handed himself over to the police after he realised "he had acted in a violent manner.""



A chill runs over my body at this type of defense diagnosis and psych testimony about the men who kill their partners.

It should do that to just about everyone IMO. The other tragedy is the many people out in our communities that really do suffer from mental illnesses and don't get the care they need, often because of resources. People who are never likely to harm anyone physically, but do much harm to themselves practically and those who care about them emotionally. They often don't get the help they need while people like that guy and OP use diagnoses of vague conditions I'm not even sure exist to get acquitted of violent crime, murder even. Who gives a flying if he can't remember - he still did it.

 

[Budgie]

Oscar's going to end up sharing a room with Dewani at this rate.

Maybe OP's sister has nipped home during the break to pack him a bag.....dejavu.

 

[Melanie]

Oscar radio discussing DT may have shot itself in the backside with this mental illness issue. They believe Nel is about to put an application to the court to have OP evaluated for a mental illness. This information should have been part of OP's plea.

Agreed. Why now? Are they playing their cards, and decided to throw this hand out. Bad move, IMHO. OP could be gone for a very long time, and I'm not quite sure if he'd like his surroundings.

Just my opinion.

Mel

 

[AlexUK]

Did her ladyship(!) say back at 1.15?????

 

[DebinGA]

And she drank. And dad copped his share of the blame too.

... and OP has no permanent attachment to extended family, which will come as a surprise to the uncle and auntie who've been housing and supporting him the last year.

 

[BritsKate]

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)—A severe, chronic, exaggerated worrying about everyday events is the most common symptom in people with GAD. This is a worrying that lasts for at least six months, makes it difficult to concentrate and to carry out routine activities, and happens for many hours each day in some people. Some people with this disorder anticipate the worst and often experience physical symptoms of fatigue, tension, headaches and nausea due to the severity of their anxiety.

http://www.nami.org/Content/Navigat...ntal_Illness/By_Illness/Anxiety_Disorders.htm

Again, I find it extraordinary he could manage the Olympics and flying all over the globe with such a diagnosis. JMO

 

[Fuskier]

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.

BBM. "many a truth said in jest".

 

[sicknote]

Surely Roux must have planned this?

 

[sleuth-d-]

:sigh: I think, after following this bloody case, I need to seek out a psychologist myself. This trial has been the craziest I've ever seen.

i keep meaning to ask whether this is the norm for websleuths cases... whether all cases people follow here are this bizarre.

 

[JudgeJudi]

Yes I've seen him rave about how wonderful she was and how she made sure he never felt different because of his disability. Sounds like a good mum to me!

That was before today. He uses everyone and then just tosses them away when they've reached their use by date.

 

[sleuth-d-]

http://www.nami.org/Content/Navigat...ntal_Illness/By_Illness/Anxiety_Disorders.htm

Again, I find it extraordinary he could manage the Olympics and flying all over the globe with such a diagnosis. JMO

possibly events at the olympics 2012 brought it on... just saying.

 

[Gryffindor]

Probably not the greatest terminology you used there. I suffer a mental illness myself and don't really like to be thought of as a "nutter/loony"

Apologies, I meant them regarding HIM as such, in relation to his offence, from what they're asserting. Someone earlier in a post referenced the "loony bin" so I didn't think anyone had taken offence. Sorry x

 

[Melanie]

General Anxiety Disorder...just like millions and millions of other people.

Me too. And he would appear to be on the very low spectrum of GAD. I tend to be a recluse, HATE public places, can't stand traffic, and strangers give me the willies too. Yet, he appears to live a very public life (lights, camera, action). I guess one could live with GAD under those circumstances, but not me! Just the thought puts me in a tail spin.

MOO

Mel

 

[sleuth-d-]

That was before today. He uses everyone and then just tosses them away when they've reached their use by date.

another one of the narcissistic traits.

 

[AlwaysShocked]

I think what I do not understand is why the Defense waited until now to bring this up. They did not claim an insanity defense. Yet now they have a psychiatrist naming him as having two mental health related disorders but saying they are not mental illness? What is the advantage to the Defense in this move?

 

[Forensics]

I don't either but I guess it is something that should be ruled out one way or another otherwise it could be used at appeal ?

Yes, as Barry Bateman says on Twitter...So either the disorder not important enough to be a fair defence or important enough to need referral! Cornered eh

https://twitter.com/barrybateman