Blade runner Oscar Pistorius's trial resumes

Pretoria, June 30 (IANS) Murder-accused paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius Monday was back for his trial in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, after completing his psychiatric evaluation.

Pistorius's psychiatric evaluation began May 26 at the Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, where he was assessed by four specialists for seven hours everyday for 30 days, Independent Online reported.

Pistorius is on trial for fatally shooting his girlfriend Reeva Stenkamp through a locked toilet door Feb 14, 2013, at his house in Pretoria.

Pistorius has denied the murder charges and said that he shot Stenkamp, mistaking her for an intruder who had entered his house through the toilet window, but the state insisted that it was pre-meditated murder.

If found guilty of murder, Pistorius could face life imprisonment. If he is acquitted of that charge, the court will consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could receive about 15 years in prison.

The state applied to have Pistorius referred for mental observation after a defence witness diagnosed the athlete with a general anxiety disorder (GAD).

Pistorius's attorney, Brian Webber, said Friday that the evaluation was complete and they were ready to go back to court Monday.