Pistorius' murder trial facing delay after month-long 'mental evaluation' order for Paralympian

The murder trial of Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius will reportedly now face a lengthy delay after the judge at the North Gauteng High Court ordered that the double amputee athlete should undergo a month-long mental evaluation.

Prosecution lawyer Gerrie Nel argued that psychiatric tests were essential and that the Blade Runner should be referred after forensic psychiatrist Merryll Vorster said earlier that Pistorius was suffering from generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

According to the BBC, the trial has now been adjourned until Tuesday, when the judge will give the details behind her ruling, which could mean the Olympic athlete is evaluated for a minimum of 30 days at a psychiatric faculty.

Stating that as per criminal code if an accused person should be evaluated if he is alleged not to be criminally responsible or is alleged to be mentally ill, the judge also said that such an evaluation would ensure that Pistorius would get a fair trial, adding it would be 'preferable' for him to undergo the evaluation as an outpatient.

Pistorius's uncle, Arnold, welcomed the judge's 'thorough' ruling and said that it gave the family 'confidence' in the justice system, although the report added that the prosecution is concerned by the defence psychiatrist's claim that the athlete's behaviour the night he killed Reeva Steenkamp might have been influenced by his GAD.