Oscar Pistorius must for examination in a psychiatric hospital. There should be clarified for his murder trial, whether the Paralympic star is criminally liable. A consultant had certified him as an anxiety disorder.

The murder trial of Oscar Pistorius runs even longer: The Paralympics Star is examined from May 26 a month as a day patient in a psychiatric hospital. The 27-year-old would appear each weekday morning at nine clock in “Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital” in Pretoria, said Judge Thokozile Masipa. He could but go each 16 clock home.

Judge Masipa’s order instructed that: “A psychiatrist appointed … enquire into whether the accused by reason of mental illness or mental defect was at the time of the commission of the offence criminally responsible for the offence as charged, whether he was capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act, or acting in accordance with an appreciation of the wrongfulness of his act.”

She ruled that Oscar Pistorius will be allowed to leave the facility in the South African capital each day at 4pm, or when “formally excused” by hospital authorities.

His period of evaluation will be for no more than 30 days, the judge said, and will depend on how long a panel of four mental health experts needs to compile a report for the court.

Pistorius stood in the Pretoria courtroom with his hands crossed in front of him and looked at the judge as she explained her decision.

Last week, the judge ruled that Pistorius’ state of mind when he shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp should be assessed.

The ruling came after a psychiatrist giving evidence in the athlete’s defence told the court he suffered from generalised anxiety disorder and that this may have influenced his judgement.

The tests were requested by the chief prosecutor and opposed by Pistorius’ lawyer.

Pistorius is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on 14 February 2013. Pistorius insists that he shot through a closed door, because he who suspected a burglar. The process has been running since March. Pistorius is after payment of a deposit since the end of February 2013 on the loose.

The observation in the psychiatric facility will now provide information on the criminal responsibility of the accused. The psychiatrist Merryl Vorster had last week certified as defense witness Pistorius an intense anxiety disorder. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel had thereupon demanded an independent opinion should decide whether the accused is fully culpable. Judge Masipa followed this request.

The process should be resumed on June 30. If the doctors should sooner come to a judgment, the time could also shorten. If convicted Pistorius face a life sentence.

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