Oscar Pistorius' mental health is to be examined at a state mental health institution, the South African judge overseeing his murder trial has ordered, in a move that will delay the high-profile case for as long as a month.
The decision by Judge Thokozile Masipa follows a request for a psychiatric evaluation by the chief prosecutor, Gerrie Nel.
The prosecution is concerned about defense witness testimony suggesting that Pistorius had an anxiety disorder that may have played a role when he fatally shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Feb. 14 last year.
Nel is seeking to rule out any subsequent appeals on the basis of a metal health condition. Pistorius faces life in prison if convicted.
The Olympic runner says he killed Steenkamp by mistake, thinking there was an intruder in his home. The prosecution says he killed her after an argument.
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