Oscar Pistorius Trial Part 7

[Roussette]

here is Part 6. Nearly time for a new one.

[LookingThroughTheFog]

OP would have to attend the facility at 5am

For the love of god, why? What on earth are they going to do with him at 5AM?

[Saker]

Does anyone know where the pyschiatrists assessing him would stand in terms of confidentiality as to what he tells them?

I wonder if one reason Roux has been opposed to this is because he is concerned as to what will come out if OP is assessed continually over days or weeks. Will he be able to maintain a consistent story? If he is asked questions about his relationship with Reeva for example, and it comes out that it was very stormy or that he didn't trust her etc would that get reported back to the court?

[Saker]

sorry "psychiatrists"

[MajesticWhine]

I wish I shared your faith Looking, in a "firm certain diagnosis"
I think that mental well-being is on a spectrum and that diagnosis attempts to cut across this and categorise people, not always helpfully, and sometimes in a rather arbitrary way. It is also highly subjective and mental health professionals do not always agree on a diagnosis.
I also don't think it should mitigate unless it is a psychotic disorder where there is a loss of reality. Basically, we all have some shit going on. All convicted criminals ever will have something in their background that predisposed them.

[Bookaboosue]

Ronald I didn't mean a GAD diagnosis. I don't think any of us can second guess how a psychological evaluation will go and that uncertainty must be worrying for the defence and OP. Although as someone said upthread if the ultimate result is that OP receives a lighter sentence then they'll all probably be glad he was referred.

[LookingThroughTheFog]

Majestic - I do know that. I've been diagnosed with all sorts of stuff, and my current psychiatrist has gone with uni-polar Depression, to bi-polar, to uni-polar with some psychotic elements...

You are right; a firm diagnosis is unlikely. But if they imply that there's nothing other than a GAD diagnosis, and there's no sight of a personality disorder, or any issues with truthfulness, then that is what it is.

[member]

Re: the 5am start, no idea! Tweeted Barry Bateman to ask if true as someone else on Twitter claimed to have seen him say it on S A tv. BB says that's how he understands it!

[mary21]

I wouldn't be surprised if he has an underlying mental health condition. I think over the years he has become very good at covering things up and has a public front. Going back to his mother dying, initially he didn't cry and insisted on going straight back to school after the funeral. He did break down a few days later and had to be sent home, however he went to friends. where was his dad? where were the doting uncles and aunts?. There is a story of him laughing and joining in with the joke when his friends at school set fire to the area around his bed and took his legs. it must have been terrifying.
In his autobiography he describes a friend dying and not being able to talk about it with his then girlfriend. they split as a consequence. he carried on as normal competing but every night went back to his hotel and cried. all times when he probably really needed support.
many Olympian describe being depressed after the Olympics. everything works towards one event for years then it is over. OP seems to go a bit crazy.maybe he hypes up to stop himself going down.

to the present he does seemtortured by what has happened but still has presence of mind tp hate his dad, glare at his ex friends. lie. think he can get away with things,. press may be leading with all this.

I do think a good analysis is the best idea and not just a quick session a day as I am sure he needs more observation than that to really work out what is going on.

I must admit I do feel for his brother and sister and hope they are being looked after

[RonaldMcDonald]

mary

imo nothing of what you have said in your post is indicative of OP having an underlying mental health condition

I understand that you might feel that some of his circumstances have been unfortunate.
Many people on this thread and all over this site have suffered similarly in their lives. Some people are suffering from major, all pervasive disorders and coping in a limited way doing the best that they can.
I think that it is hard to extend that to OP given that he has led a life that has included high level professional, competitive, sporting, social, sexual etc life. He may have dealt with problems and set backs but certainly he has fully lived a life and ended another person's life.

His reactions are all within the boundaries of 'normal' or 'typical' for grief and public expression of grief
His reactions are all within the boundaries of 'normal' or 'typical' regarding post Olympic blues
His reactions are all within the boundaries of 'normal' or typical' regarding schoolboy behaviour

I also find it hard to read about someone worrying about his family at this juncture. I'm sorry I just do.
I am aware that OP's family did not kill Ms Steenkamp. I am aware that it must be difficult for them to see OP in the dock.
However, he did knowingly kill another person. I am actually utterly not bothered by how his family are doing.

I would ask where your concern is for the family of Ms Steenkamp.?

[mary21]

I am not an OP supporter. I very much want the truth to be unearthed but at the end of the day he pulled the trigger and killed a woman. one he professed to love. I do however think he is a troubled messed up man. so are many I agree. I think knew he wanted to kill an intruder.

What I was trying to say above is that he is used to covering what he feels/ whats going on inside his head so although I think there is some pathology I think he covers/masks it and has done for a while.

I am not looking for OP to have a get out of jail free card. I would like to see him go down.

I feel for his siblings because whatever mess was inflicted on OP was inflicted on them too .

I do certainly feel for reevas family

[RonaldMcDonald]

Mary

I don't mind if your are or aren't an OP supporter

You are of course entitled to your opinions regardless!

[JillJ72]

My straw poll vote was wrong then. Another pause whilst the detail is sorted. Guess it makes sense to cross all the t's and dot all the i's so there isn't a "Why didn't you...?", so ensuring all avenues are explored and considered when determining the final verdict.

Like Mary I think OP will have spent a lifetime being a particular person for particular situations, and some very stressful situations at that, and I guess it's something many of us will relate to (DH tells me I have a telephone voice, or I know in certain company I will act a certain way).

It will be interesting to know the outcome of those observations and if they will have a bearing on the trial.

Likewise I can understand Majestic and the concern of potential to "pigeon hole".

Tbh I think Uncle Arnold's words with the press were the only words they could say publicly. Any concern has to be behind closed doors because this is about justice and due process for the Steenkamps.

[AnyaKnowIt]

I only think the statement today was because of the reports of op saying the assessment was a joke

[RoadKillBunny]

To be fair to OP, the reports of him saying it was a joke yesterday where most likely about the States reaction and application for assessment, I think it came as a shock to him and the idea of close assessment by mental health teams must be very intimidating and frightening. His comment may also have been taken out if context.

Don't get me wrong, I have no sympathy for him, I think the assessment is very wise for everyone concerned whatever the outcome it is just that I would rather not judge a person on a two work comment with minimal context.

[JillJ72]

That's possible. I also think the press will have been looking for a statement after that decision, so better to do something there and then. Doesn't stop the headlines though (not v nice for Reeva's family).

[StackALee]

Out all day, on the beach, so missed all this.

One thing ... By doing this Roux has managed to get everyone thinking sympathetically about his client. He was operated on as a baby (described as an assault), he lost his mother, he barely has a father, he now has an anxiety disorder and so on...

Up until now the prosecution had done a very good job of making people forget all these things.

Maybe that was the point.

[AmIthatSpringy]

I'm going to watch Sky update shortly, but have listened to this morning's proceedings again.

I more convinced that Roux is not too heartbroken about this latest turn of events.

And I think Uncle Arnold's statement was sensible as it gave the press enough to report on. I hardly think he would have done it because of a throwaway remark OP made the day before

[AmIthatSpringy]

Oh, and we'll jell Stack at being on the beach

[HotWon]

On the less serious side, I have used the I luff mr nell badge as my profile picture on facebook. No one on my Facebook gets it! With all the media attention you would think someone would understand.

[AGnu]

No hits on google images yet!

[HotWon]

I think all mumsnetters on this thread should change their profile picture on facebook to one of the badges that ANgu created.

[GoshAnneGorilla]

No one in real life knows how fixated I am with this case though. It's my dark secret...

[JillJ72]

V few people in my life know. And I can't see a Beary Roux badge being liked because it's Beary Roux. Here it stays... Sorry AGnu, it makes me smile wryly but its safe environment is mn

[RoadKillBunny]

I shall put my Mr Nell badge on as my twitter profile pic and tweet all three. Not sure if will help the image go viral mind, I'm not very good at twitter and as I don't have anyone from my real life on twitter my followers are well within single figures

[AmIthatSpringy]

Safe environment for me too. No-one in RL would be remotely interested.

Plus I can't get links on iPad so no idea what the badges are.