The sports world is waiting to hear the fate of Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee who has gained fame by becoming a record-setting Paralympic champion and by participating in the Olympics as well. Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide after killing his girlfriend on Valentine's Day 2013. He was not found guilty of murder even though he shot her to death, because he argued that he thought there was an intruder in the house. According to Dr. Leonard Berkowitz, Pistorius could have been a victim of the weapons effect. But according to one former track star, the South African runner should be banned from track.
Though Pistorius shot his girlfriend to death, he and his defense team claim he wasn't trying to kill anyone, but was spooked by what he thought was an intruder.
Could he have been the victim of a phenomenon called the "weapons effect"? According to a 1967 study by Dr. Leonard Berkowitz, people are sometimes susceptible to firing weapons unconsciously (via Biz News):
"The weapons effect is a psychological term for the mesmerising effect the mere presence of a gun can have on minds and digits. It is based on research showing that guns 'don't just permit violence, they stimulate it as well.
"'The finger pulls the trigger, but the trigger also pulls the finger.'"
While that theory is considered problematic by skeptics, Pistorius' former friend Sanya Richards Ross is totally unconvinced. The gold medalist says there is no excuse for what happened (via TMZ):
"At the end of the day, there was a woman that ended up dead. I don't think he should have the privilege of competing in the sport anymore."
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