Oscar Pistorius sits in court during his ongoing murder trial in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, July 3, 2014. Pistorius is charged with the 2013 Valentine's Day shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. (AP Photo/Herman Verwey, Pool)
July 03, 2014 - 1:52 AM
PRETORIA, South Africa - A physician who has treated Oscar Pistorius has testified at the athlete's murder trial that he is a "paradox" whose racing triumphs contrast sharply with the severe limitations of his disability.
Wayne Derman, a professor of sport and exercise medicine at the University of Cape Town, said in court Thursday that the contrast likely contributed to stress and anxiety for the double-amputee runner, who fatally shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Derman is testifying for the defence, which wants to show that Pistorius' alleged sense of vulnerability was a factor in the nighttime shooting in his home last year.
Pistorius says he killed Steenkamp by mistake, thinking there was a dangerous intruder in his home. The prosecution says he intentionally killed the 29-year-old model after the couple had a Valentine's Day argument.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014