PRETORIA, South Africa, June 13 (UPI) -- Oscar Pistorius is not a psychopath but is suffering from "major depression" and should not be sent to prison, a clinical psychologist testified in the athlete's sentencing hearing Monday.
Professor Jonathan Scholtz also said the South African former Olympian is a "broken man" and he would hospitalize Pistorius if he were his patient.
"Since the offense he has developed a serious psychiatric condition which has become worse over the past two years," said Scholtz, who last saw the double-amputee in a psychiatric hospital.
He said his conditions include depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Related
Pistorius was convicted of murdering his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, and faces at least 15 years in prison.
Pistorius, 29, who competed in the 2012 London Olympics on his two carbon fiber blades, picking up the nickname "blade runner," could get a reduced sentence based on time already served and other factors. He likely will be sentenced by Friday and have no right to appeal.
Scholtz said he favors community service so that Pistorius can help others. Scholtz said he has been offered a job as a project manager in an early childhood development program run by his uncle's company.
Pistorius shot Steenkamp four times in February 2013 through a locked bathroom door, resulting in her death. He has consistently said he thought she was an intruder.
Convicted of culpable homicide in September 2014, Judge Thokozile Masipa deemed the killing an accident. The Supreme Court of Appeal later changed the conviction to murder.
Masipa is presiding over the hearing.
Pistorius is currently under house arrest at his uncle's mansion.
State prosecutor Gerrie Nel disputed doctor's claims that Pistorius is depressed. Nel said Pistorius has not shown any remorse throughout the trial and only regretted that the killing had affected him personally.
