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The '''trial of Oscar Pistorius''' for the murder of ] and several gun-related charges ('''''The State vs Oscar Pistorius''''')<ref>{{cite web|title=In the Final Roll in the High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria) this 3rd day of March 2014|url=http://www.saflii.org/za/other/ZAGPPHCRolls/2014/40.pdf|publisher=SAFLII|accessdate=9 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140309182636/http://www.saflii.org/za/other/ZAGPPHCRolls/2014/40.pdf|archivedate=9 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=Infographic>{{cite news|title=INFOGRAPHIC: The State vs Oscar Pistorius|url=http://www.news24.com/Multimedia/South-Africa/INFOGRAPHIC-The-State-vs-Oscar-Pistorius-20140302|accessdate=11 March 2014|publisher=News24|date=2 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140311181224/http://www.news24.com/Multimedia/South-Africa/INFOGRAPHIC-The-State-vs-Oscar-Pistorius-20140302|archivedate=11 March 2014}}</ref> in the ] in ] commenced on 3 March 2014. ] is a leading South African runner, who won attention as an athlete with a disability competing at a high level, including multiple ] and the ]. Steenkamp, a model, was his girlfriend. In the early morning of Thursday, 14 February 2013, Steenkamp was shot and killed by Pistorius at his Pretoria home.<ref name=Affidavit>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/19/world/africa/south-africa-pistorius-affadavit/index.html|title=In full: Pistorius' affidavit to court|date=21 February 2013|accessdate=27 March 2013|publisher=]}}</ref><ref name=Reut13>{{cite news|url= http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/14/us-safrica-pistorius-idUSBRE91D0AE20130214|title="Blade Runner" Pistorius charged with murdering girlfriend|agency=]|location=London|date=14 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bennett|first=Lucy|title=Paralympian Oscar Pistorius charged with murder|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10865508|newspaper=]|date=14 February 2013|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref> Pistorius acknowledged that he shot Steenkamp to death and said that he mistook her for an intruder.<ref name="BdlivePlea"/> The '''trial of Oscar Pistorius''' for the murder of ] and several gun-related charges ('''''The State vs Oscar Pistorius''''')<ref>{{cite web|title=In the Final Roll in the High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria) this 3rd day of March 2014|url=http://www.saflii.org/za/other/ZAGPPHCRolls/2014/40.pdf|publisher=SAFLII|accessdate=9 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140309182636/http://www.saflii.org/za/other/ZAGPPHCRolls/2014/40.pdf|archivedate=9 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=Infographic>{{cite news|title=INFOGRAPHIC: The State vs Oscar Pistorius|url=http://www.news24.com/Multimedia/South-Africa/INFOGRAPHIC-The-State-vs-Oscar-Pistorius-20140302|accessdate=11 March 2014|publisher=News24|date=2 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140311181224/http://www.news24.com/Multimedia/South-Africa/INFOGRAPHIC-The-State-vs-Oscar-Pistorius-20140302|archivedate=11 March 2014}}</ref> in the ] in ] commenced on 3 March 2014. ] is a leading South African runner, who won attention as an athlete with a disability competing at a high level, including multiple ] and the ]. Steenkamp, a model, was his girlfriend. In the early morning of Thursday, 14 February 2013, Steenkamp was shot and killed by Pistorius at his Pretoria home.<ref name=Affidavit>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/19/world/africa/south-africa-pistorius-affadavit/index.html|title=In full: Pistorius' affidavit to court|date=21 February 2013|accessdate=27 March 2013|publisher=]}}</ref><ref name=Reut13>{{cite news|url= http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/14/us-safrica-pistorius-idUSBRE91D0AE20130214|title="Blade Runner" Pistorius charged with murdering girlfriend|agency=]|location=London|date=14 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bennett|first=Lucy|title=Paralympian Oscar Pistorius charged with murder|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10865508|newspaper=]|date=14 February 2013|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref> Pistorius acknowledged that he shot Steenkamp to death and said that he mistook her for an intruder.<ref name="BdlivePlea"/>
Pistorius was taken into police custody and was formally charged with murder in a Pretoria court on 15 February 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dolan|first=David|title=Blade Runner Pistorius sobs in court after murder charge|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/15/safrica-pistorius-idUSL5N0BF1J120130215|agency=Reuters|date=15 February 2013|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Harding|first=Andrew|title=Oscar Pistorius weeps as court hears murder charge Pistorius was taken into police custody and was formally charged with murder in a Pretoria court on 15 February 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dolan|first=David|title=Blade Runner Pistorius sobs in court after murder charge|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/15/safrica-pistorius-idUSL5N0BF1J120130215|agency=Reuters|date=15 February 2013|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Harding|first=Andrew|title=Oscar Pistorius weeps as court hears murder charge
|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21467359|publisher=BBC|date=15 February 2013|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Tolsi|first=Niren|title=Pistorius 'intentionally shot and killed Steenkamp' |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21467359|publisher=BBC|date=15 February 2013|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Tolsi|first=Niren|title=Pistorius 'intentionally shot and killed Steenkamp'
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The ] commenced on 19 February 2013 under Chief ] of Pretoria Desmond Nair.<ref name =Affidavit/><ref>{{cite news|last1 =Antonie|first1 =Cecil| first2=Rohit | last2 = Kachroo| first3=Ian | last3 = Johnston|title= Prosecutor: 'Blade Runner' Pistorius committed 'premeditated' murder of girlfriend | url = http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/15/16971021-prosecutor-blade-runner-pistorius-committed-premeditated-murder-of-girlfriend | work =NBC News|date=15 February 2013|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref> During the hearing, both prosecution and defence said that Pistorius had fired four shots through a locked toilet door, hitting Steenkamp three times inside.<ref name=nyt0220>{{cite news|last= Polgreen|first= Lydia | title =In Affidavit at Bail Hearing, Track Star Denies He Intended to Kill Girlfriend|url= http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/world/africa/pistorius-returns-to-court-seeking-bail-on-murder-charge.html | newspaper =]|date=19 February 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6O4u852tT | archivedate =14 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Pistorius bail hearing: What we know so far | url= http://mg.co.za/article/2013-02-20-pistorius-hearing-what-we-know-so-far|accessdate= 23 February 2013 | newspaper= Mail & Guardian|date=20 February 2013}}</ref> Prosecutor Gerrie Nel claimed that Pistorius had put on his prosthetic legs, walked across his bedroom to the bathroom, and intentionally shot Steenkamp through the door.<ref name= nyt0220/><ref>{{cite news|title= 'Rot in jail' protesters cry outside Pistorius bail hearing|url= http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2013/02/19/rot-in-jail-protesters-cry-outside-pistorius-bail-hearing |agency= Reuters|date=19 February 2013|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref> Nel argued that the time required for this process was sufficient to establish the alleged murder as premeditated.<ref>{{cite news | last= Davis|first= Rebecca|title= Pistorius bail hearing: Round One|url= http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-02-19-pistorius-bail-hearing-round-one/|accessdate= 19 February 2013|newspaper= ] | date=19 February 2013}}</ref> Pistorius said that he had thought Steenkamp was in the bed, and that the person in the toilet was an intruder.<ref name=nyt0220 /> The ] commenced on 19 February 2013 under Chief ] of Pretoria Desmond Nair.<ref name =Affidavit/><ref>{{cite news|last1 =Antonie|first1 =Cecil| first2=Rohit | last2 = Kachroo| first3=Ian | last3 = Johnston|title= Prosecutor: 'Blade Runner' Pistorius committed 'premeditated' murder of girlfriend | url = http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/15/16971021-prosecutor-blade-runner-pistorius-committed-premeditated-murder-of-girlfriend | work =NBC News|date=15 February 2013|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref> During the hearing, both prosecution and defence said that Pistorius had fired four shots through a locked toilet door, hitting Steenkamp three times inside.<ref name=nyt0220>{{cite news|last= Polgreen|first= Lydia | title =In Affidavit at Bail Hearing, Track Star Denies He Intended to Kill Girlfriend|url= http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/world/africa/pistorius-returns-to-court-seeking-bail-on-murder-charge.html | newspaper =]|date=19 February 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6O4u852tT | archivedate =14 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Pistorius bail hearing: What we know so far | url= http://mg.co.za/article/2013-02-20-pistorius-hearing-what-we-know-so-far|accessdate= 23 February 2013 | newspaper= Mail & Guardian|date=20 February 2013}}</ref> Prosecutor Gerrie Nel claimed that Pistorius had put on his prosthetic legs, walked across his bedroom to the bathroom, and intentionally shot Steenkamp through the door.<ref name= nyt0220/><ref>{{cite news|title= 'Rot in jail' protesters cry outside Pistorius bail hearing|url= http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2013/02/19/rot-in-jail-protesters-cry-outside-pistorius-bail-hearing |agency= Reuters|date=19 February 2013|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref> Nel argued that the time required for this process was sufficient to establish the alleged murder as premeditated.<ref>{{cite news | last= Davis|first= Rebecca|title= Pistorius bail hearing: Round One|url= http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-02-19-pistorius-bail-hearing-round-one/|accessdate= 19 February 2013|newspaper= ] | date=19 February 2013}}</ref> Pistorius said that he had thought Steenkamp was in the bed, and that the person in the toilet was an intruder.<ref name=nyt0220 />


Chief investigating officer Hilton Botha said at the bail hearing that a witness had heard gunshots coming from Pistorius' home and then a female screaming followed by more gunshots; he initially said the witness was 600 metres away, but later said the distance was 300 metres.<ref name=stein>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Ginny | title =Defence seizes on police inconsistencies in Pistorius case|url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-20/court-hears-pistorius-fought-non-stop-with-girlfriend/4530454 | publisher= ]| date= 21 February 2013 | accessdate=22 February 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6J7kcUU9C| archivedate= 25 August 2013 | deadurl= no|quote= Lawyers representing Oscar Pistorius have challenged police testimony accusing the South African sprinter of the premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.}}</ref> Botha also said the trajectory of the gunshots indicated that they had been fired downward and directly toward the toilet, seemingly conflicting with Pistorius' statement that he was not wearing his prosthetics at the time.<ref name = "Associated Press-CBC" /> He acknowledged that procedural mistakes had been made during the crime scene investigation and that police had found no evidence inconsistent with the version of events presented by Pistorius, adding later that equally nothing contradicted the police version, either.<ref name= stein /><ref name ="Associated Press-CBC">{{cite news|title=Detective gives confused testimony in Pistorius case|url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/02/20/oscar-pistorius-court-bail.html | publisher= ] | agency =]|date=20 February 2013|accessdate=22 February 2013|archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6J7mNCpTP |archivedate= 25 August 2013|deadurl=no|quote= The detective leading the police investigation into Oscar Pistorius' fatal shooting of his girlfriend offered confusing testimony Wednesday, at one point agreeing with the athlete's defence that officers had no evidence challenging the runner's claim he accidentally killed her.}}</ref> On 22 February 2013, Botha was removed from the case following revelations that he was facing attempted murder charges stemming from a 2009 incident. Botha was replaced by Vineshkumar Moonoo, described as "the most senior detective" in the ].<ref name="Botha sunk">{{cite news|title=Lead detective dumped from Pistorius case| place = ] | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-22/lead-detective-dumped-from-pistorius-case/4533386 | first= Ginny|last = Stein | work =]|date=22 February 2013 | accessdate = 23 February 2013 | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6JKPE4OLg| archivedate= 2 September 2013 |deadurl=no|quote=The detective leading the investigation into accused murderer Oscar Pistorius has been dumped from the case following revelations he is facing charges of attempted murder.}}</ref> Chief investigating officer Hilton Botha said at the bail hearing that a witness had heard gunshots coming from Pistorius' home and then a female screaming followed by more gunshots; he initially said the witness was 600 metres away, but later said the distance was 300 metres.<ref name=stein>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Ginny | title =Defence seizes on police inconsistencies in Pistorius case|url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-20/court-hears-pistorius-fought-non-stop-with-girlfriend/4530454 | publisher= ]| date= 21 February 2013 | accessdate=22 February 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6J7kcUU9C| archivedate= 25 August 2013 | deadurl= no|quote= Lawyers representing Oscar Pistorius have challenged police testimony accusing the South African sprinter of the premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.}}</ref> Botha also said the trajectory of the gunshots indicated that they had been fired downward and directly toward the toilet, seemingly conflicting with Pistorius' statement that he was not wearing his prosthetics at the time.<ref name = "Associated Press-CBC" /> He acknowledged that procedural mistakes had been made during the crime scene investigation and that police had found no evidence inconsistent with the version of events presented by Pistorius, adding later that equally nothing contradicted the police version, either.<ref name= stein /><ref name ="Associated Press-CBC">{{cite news|title=Detective gives confused testimony in Pistorius case|url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/02/20/oscar-pistorius-court-bail.html | publisher= ] | agency =]|date=20 February 2013|accessdate=22 February 2013|archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6J7mNCpTP |archivedate= 25 August 2013|deadurl=no|quote= The detective leading the police investigation into Oscar Pistorius' fatal shooting of his girlfriend offered confusing testimony Wednesday, at one point agreeing with the athlete's defence that officers had no evidence challenging the runner's claim he accidentally killed her.}}</ref> On 22 February 2013, Botha was removed from the case following revelations that he was facing attempted murder charges stemming from a 2009 incident. Botha was replaced by Vineshkumar Moonoo, described as "the most senior detective" in the ].<ref name="Botha sunk">{{cite news|title=Lead detective dumped from Pistorius case| place = ] | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-22/lead-detective-dumped-from-pistorius-case/4533386 | first= Ginny|last = Stein | work =]|date=22 February 2013 | accessdate = 23 February 2013 | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6JKPE4OLg| archivedate= 2 September 2013 |deadurl=no|quote=The detective leading the investigation into accused murderer Oscar Pistorius has been dumped from the case following revelations he is facing charges of attempted murder.}}</ref>


On the first day of the bail hearing, Magistrate Nair ruled that for the purposes of the bail hearing Pistorius was charged with a ], which relates to serious crimes including premeditated murder and requires exceptional circumstances for release on bail.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blow for Pistorius in bail application|url = http://www.citypress.co.za/news/blow-for-pistorius-in-bail-application/ | accessdate= 22 August 2013 | newspaper = City Press|date=19 February 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6J79hu8LM|archivedate= 24 August 2013|deadurl=no|quote= The Oscar Pistorius case will be regarded as a Schedule 6 offence for the purposes of his bail application.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Oscar Pistorius bail hearing – day 1|url = http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Oscar-Pistorius-at-court-for-bail-hearing-20130219 |accessdate= 22 August 2013|publisher=News24|date=19 February 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6J7Aa7vJi | archivedate = 24 August 2013| deadurl= no|quote= At this point in time, I cannot rule out premeditation. For the purposes of bail – we go Schedule 6.}}</ref> On 22 February 2013, at the conclusion of the four-day bail hearing, Magistrate Nair said that the state had not convinced him that Pistorius posed a flight risk and fixed bail at ]1 million (US$113,000).<ref name=abcbail>{{cite news|last1 =Dolak|first1 = Kevin | first2=Bazi | last2 = Kanani|title=Oscar Pistorius Granted Bail in Murder Case|url= http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-granted-bail-murder-case/story?id=18563714 |publisher = ]|date=22 February 2013|accessdate= 22 February 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6J7k5H4IR | archivedate=25 August 2013|deadurl=no|quote=Oscar Pistorius was granted bail today in a South African court, meaning he can be released from jail for the six to eight months before his trial for the allegedly premeditated killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. }}</ref> On 4 June 2013 the court case was postponed to allow time for further investigation until a hearing at Pretoria ] on 19 August 2013,<ref>{{cite news|last=Govender|first= Peroshni|title = Pistorius judge attacks 'scandalizing' media coverage|url = http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/04/us-safrica-pistorius-idUSBRE95002R20130604|agency=]|date=4 June 2013|archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6J2qhRz9J |archivedate=21 August 2013|deadurl=no|quote=A South African judge postponed the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius on Tuesday and criticized the media for sensationalist reporting of the Olympic and Paralympic athletics star's shooting of his girlfriend on Valentine's Day.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pistorius case postponed until August|url= http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Pistorius-case-postponed-until-August-20130604 |accessdate= 4 June 2013|publisher= News24| agency = ]|date=4 June 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6J2rJPqpE | archivedate =21 August 2013|deadurl=no| place=Pretoria | quote = The case against murder accused paralympian Oscar Pistorius was postponed to 19 August the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.}}</ref> when Pistorius was formally indicted on two charges of murder and the illegal possession of ammunition. The indictment noted that even if Pistorius was mistaken in the identity of the person he shot, the intention was to kill.<ref>{{cite news|last=Imray Gerald|title=Oscar Pistorius Indicted For Murder in Killing of Reeva Steenkamp |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/19/oscar-pistorius-indicted-murder-reeva-steenkamp_n_3778183.html | accessdate =24 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=23 August 2013 | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6J6HAKoOR|archivedate=24 August 2013|deadurl=no| place=Pretoria, ] | quote = A woman screamed and then there was silence, according to South African prosecutors pressing a premeditated murder case against Oscar Pistorius. Next, the indictment says, witnesses heard gunshots and more screaming at the home of the Paralympic champion, who says he shot his girlfriend by mistake on Valentine's Day.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Full document – Oscar Pistorius indictment|url = http://www.citypress.co.za/news/full-document-oscar-pistorius-indictment/ |accessdate=24 August 2013 | newspaper = City Press|date=19 August 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6J6H0neYI|archivedate= 24 August 2013|deadurl=no}} </ref> On the first day of the bail hearing, Magistrate Nair ruled that for the purposes of the bail hearing Pistorius was charged with a ], which relates to serious crimes including premeditated murder and requires exceptional circumstances for release on bail.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blow for Pistorius in bail application|url = http://www.citypress.co.za/news/blow-for-pistorius-in-bail-application/ | accessdate= 22 August 2013 | newspaper = City Press|date=19 February 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6J79hu8LM|archivedate= 24 August 2013|deadurl=no|quote= The Oscar Pistorius case will be regarded as a Schedule 6 offence for the purposes of his bail application.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Oscar Pistorius bail hearing – day 1|url = http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Oscar-Pistorius-at-court-for-bail-hearing-20130219 |accessdate= 22 August 2013|publisher=News24|date=19 February 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6J7Aa7vJi | archivedate = 24 August 2013| deadurl= no|quote= At this point in time, I cannot rule out premeditation. For the purposes of bail – we go Schedule 6.}}</ref> On 22 February 2013, at the conclusion of the four-day bail hearing, Magistrate Nair said that the state had not convinced him that Pistorius posed a flight risk and fixed bail at ]1 million (US$113,000).<ref name=abcbail>{{cite news|last1 =Dolak|first1 = Kevin | first2=Bazi | last2 = Kanani|title=Oscar Pistorius Granted Bail in Murder Case|url= http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-granted-bail-murder-case/story?id=18563714 |publisher = ]|date=22 February 2013|accessdate= 22 February 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6J7k5H4IR | archivedate=25 August 2013|deadurl=no|quote=Oscar Pistorius was granted bail today in a South African court, meaning he can be released from jail for the six to eight months before his trial for the allegedly premeditated killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. }}</ref> On 4 June 2013 the court case was postponed to allow time for further investigation until a hearing at Pretoria ] on 19 August 2013,<ref>{{cite news|last=Govender|first= Peroshni|title = Pistorius judge attacks 'scandalizing' media coverage|url = http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/04/us-safrica-pistorius-idUSBRE95002R20130604|agency=]|date=4 June 2013|archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6J2qhRz9J |archivedate=21 August 2013|deadurl=no|quote=A South African judge postponed the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius on Tuesday and criticized the media for sensationalist reporting of the Olympic and Paralympic athletics star's shooting of his girlfriend on Valentine's Day.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pistorius case postponed until August|url= http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Pistorius-case-postponed-until-August-20130604 |accessdate= 4 June 2013|publisher= News24| agency = ]|date=4 June 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6J2rJPqpE | archivedate =21 August 2013|deadurl=no| place=Pretoria | quote = The case against murder accused paralympian Oscar Pistorius was postponed to 19 August the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.}}</ref> when Pistorius was formally indicted on two charges of murder and the illegal possession of ammunition. The indictment noted that even if Pistorius was mistaken in the identity of the person he shot, the intention was to kill.<ref>{{cite news|last=Imray Gerald|title=Oscar Pistorius Indicted For Murder in Killing of Reeva Steenkamp |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/19/oscar-pistorius-indicted-murder-reeva-steenkamp_n_3778183.html | accessdate =24 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=23 August 2013 | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6J6HAKoOR|archivedate=24 August 2013|deadurl=no| place=Pretoria, ] | quote = A woman screamed and then there was silence, according to South African prosecutors pressing a premeditated murder case against Oscar Pistorius. Next, the indictment says, witnesses heard gunshots and more screaming at the home of the Paralympic champion, who says he shot his girlfriend by mistake on Valentine's Day.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Full document – Oscar Pistorius indictment|url = http://www.citypress.co.za/news/full-document-oscar-pistorius-indictment/ |accessdate=24 August 2013 | newspaper = City Press|date=19 August 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6J6H0neYI|archivedate= 24 August 2013|deadurl=no}} </ref>


In late June 2013, Pistorius returned to training, reportedly looking much thinner and wearing a beard. His agent said that it was a very emotional experience for Pistorius and that returning had been a "bittersweet" moment for him.<ref>{{cite news|last=Imray|first=Gerald|title= 'Emotional' Pistorius resumes track routine | url = http://www.salon.com/2013/06/28/emotional_pistorius_resumes_track_routine/singleton/|publisher= ]|agency=]|date=28 June 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6J3S5vxYP |archivedate=22 August 2013|deadurl=no|quote=A bearded and much skinnier Oscar Pistorius was 'overcome with emotion' as he pulled on his carbon fiber running blades for his first track training since the killing of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, his agent said.}}</ref> In late June 2013, Pistorius returned to training, reportedly looking much thinner and wearing a beard. His agent said that it was a very emotional experience for Pistorius and that returning had been a "bittersweet" moment for him.<ref>{{cite news|last=Imray|first=Gerald|title= 'Emotional' Pistorius resumes track routine | url = http://www.salon.com/2013/06/28/emotional_pistorius_resumes_track_routine/singleton/|publisher= ]|agency=]|date=28 June 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6J3S5vxYP |archivedate=22 August 2013|deadurl=no|quote=A bearded and much skinnier Oscar Pistorius was 'overcome with emotion' as he pulled on his carbon fiber running blades for his first track training since the killing of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, his agent said.}}</ref>


== Trial == == Trial ==
Dates for a trial to be held at the ] of the ] were initially set from 3 to 20 March 2014,<ref>{{cite news|last=Ross|first=Will|title=Oscar Pistorius South Africa murder trial set for March|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23750551|accessdate= 19 August 2013 | work = BBC News|date=19 August 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6IzNIuuL1|archivedate= 19 August 2013| deadurl =no|quote=A date has been set for the trial of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius for the premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at a hearing at Pretoria magistrates' court. The prosecutor in the case said the dates of 3 to 20 March had been mutually agreed for the trial.}}</ref> and later extended until 16 May 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Oscar murder trial extended|url = http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2014/03/23/oscar-murder-trial-extended|accessdate=23 March 2014|newspaper = Times Live | date= 23 March 2014}}</ref> The court was set to adjourn after proceedings on 17 April 2014, returning on 5 May 2014, to accommodate scheduling conflicts of the prosecution.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cowell|first=Alan|title=Pistorius Trial to Adjourn Until May 5|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/17/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-murder-trial.html?_r=0|accessdate=16 April 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=16 April 2014}}</ref> Dates for a trial to be held at the ] of the ] were initially set from 3 to 20 March 2014,<ref>{{cite news|last=Ross|first=Will|title=Oscar Pistorius South Africa murder trial set for March|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23750551|accessdate= 19 August 2013 | work = BBC News|date=19 August 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6IzNIuuL1|archivedate= 19 August 2013| deadurl =no|quote=A date has been set for the trial of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius for the premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at a hearing at Pretoria magistrates' court. The prosecutor in the case said the dates of 3 to 20 March had been mutually agreed for the trial.}}</ref> and later extended until 16 May 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Oscar murder trial extended|url = http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2014/03/23/oscar-murder-trial-extended|accessdate=23 March 2014|newspaper = Times Live | date= 23 March 2014}}</ref> The court was set to adjourn after proceedings on 17 April 2014, returning on 5 May 2014, to accommodate scheduling conflicts of the prosecution.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cowell|first=Alan|title=Pistorius Trial to Adjourn Until May 5|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/17/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-murder-trial.html?_r=0|accessdate=16 April 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=16 April 2014}}</ref>


The murder trial commenced on 3 March 2014 in the High Court in Pretoria. Pistorius is also facing a charge of illegal possession of ammunition and two charges of firing a gun in a public space.<ref>{{cite news|last=Swails|first=Brent|last2=Smith-Spark | first2 = Laura |title=South Africa's Oscar Pistorius to face two gun charges at murder trial|url= http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/30/world/africa/south-africa-pistorius-charges/ |date=30 October 2013 | publisher =CNN|accessdate=31 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Oscar Pistorius charged with two more gun offences|url= http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/nov/20/oscar-pistorius-new-gun-charges|accessdate= 11 March 2014| newspaper =The Guardian|date=20 November 2013}}</ref> The trial was assigned to Judge ],<ref>{{cite news|title=Experienced, reserved judge for Pistorius trial|url= http://mg.co.za/article/2014-02-18-experienced-reserved-judge-for-pistorius-trial |accessdate=25 February 2014|newspaper=Mail & Guardian |date= 18 February 2014}}</ref> who appointed two ]s, Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko,<ref name=Postponed>{{cite news|title=Anti-climax as Pistorius case postponed|url = http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Oscar_Pistorius/Anti-climax-as-Pistorius-case-postponed-20140328| accessdate = 28 March 2014|newspaper= News24| date= 28 March 2014}}</ref> to help her evaluate the case and reach a verdict.<ref>{{cite news|last=Venter|first=Zelda|title=Oscar trial judge appoints assessors|url = http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/oscar-trial-judge-appoints-assessors-1.1646332 | accessdate = 27 February 2014| newspaper = Pretoria News|date=13 February 2014}}</ref> There is no ], as the ] was abolished during ].<ref>{{cite news|last1= Newcomb | first1 = Alyssa | last2= Thom| first2 = Liezl | title= Oscar Pistorius Verdict in Hands of One Judge, Not a Jury | url= http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-verdict-hands-one-judge-not-jury/story?id=22769674 |accessdate=22 March 2014|newspaper= ABC News |date=4 March 2014|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20140322074135/http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-verdict-hands-one-judge-not-jury/story?id=22769674 | archivedate = 22 March 2014 | deadurl= no}}</ref> The murder trial commenced on 3 March 2014 in the High Court in Pretoria. Pistorius is also facing a charge of illegal possession of ammunition and two charges of firing a gun in a public space.<ref>{{cite news|last=Swails|first=Brent|last2=Smith-Spark | first2 = Laura |title=South Africa's Oscar Pistorius to face two gun charges at murder trial|url= http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/30/world/africa/south-africa-pistorius-charges/ |date=30 October 2013 | publisher =CNN|accessdate=31 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Oscar Pistorius charged with two more gun offences|url= http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/nov/20/oscar-pistorius-new-gun-charges|accessdate= 11 March 2014| newspaper =The Guardian|date=20 November 2013}}</ref> The trial was assigned to Judge ],<ref>{{cite news|title=Experienced, reserved judge for Pistorius trial|url= http://mg.co.za/article/2014-02-18-experienced-reserved-judge-for-pistorius-trial |accessdate=25 February 2014|newspaper=Mail & Guardian |date= 18 February 2014}}</ref> who appointed two ]s, Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko,<ref name=Postponed>{{cite news|title=Anti-climax as Pistorius case postponed|url = http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Oscar_Pistorius/Anti-climax-as-Pistorius-case-postponed-20140328| accessdate = 28 March 2014|newspaper= News24| date= 28 March 2014}}</ref> to help her evaluate the case and reach a verdict.<ref>{{cite news|last=Venter|first=Zelda|title=Oscar trial judge appoints assessors|url = http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/oscar-trial-judge-appoints-assessors-1.1646332 | accessdate = 27 February 2014| newspaper = Pretoria News|date=13 February 2014}}</ref> There is no ], as the ] was abolished during ].<ref>{{cite news|last1= Newcomb | first1 = Alyssa | last2= Thom| first2 = Liezl | title= Oscar Pistorius Verdict in Hands of One Judge, Not a Jury | url= http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-verdict-hands-one-judge-not-jury/story?id=22769674 |accessdate=22 March 2014|newspaper= ABC News |date=4 March 2014|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20140322074135/http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-verdict-hands-one-judge-not-jury/story?id=22769674 | archivedate = 22 March 2014 | deadurl= no}}</ref>


Section 35 of the South African ] provides that "Every accused person has a right to a fair trial, which includes the right... to be tried in a language that the accused person understands or, if that is not practicable, to have the proceedings interpreted in that language".<ref>{{cite web| work =Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 | title = Chapter 2: Bill of Rights | url= http://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/1996/96cons2.htm |publisher= GCIS|accessdate= 19 March 2014 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20131005074905/http://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/1996/96cons2.htm |archivedate= 5 October 2013}}</ref> At the start of the trial, Masipa told the court that the proceedings would be held in ] with the assistance of interpreters, and confirmed that Pistorius is English-speaking.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial Day 1 Part 1 Oscar pleads not guilty|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7TcAwxFLNo|publisher= Google | work = YouTube | accessdate =19 March 2014|quote=Masipa: ‘The accused is English-speaking?’, Nel: ‘Indeed, My Lady’.}}</ref> Difficulties related to court interpreters have led to court delays, mistranslations and witnesses opting to testify in English rather than their first language.<ref name=Runaway>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=David | title = Oscar Pistorius: a runaway interpreter, then the trial of the century begins|url = http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/03/oscar-pistorius-reeva-steenkamp-murder-trial-opens |accessdate = 18 March 2014| newspaper= The Guardian| date= 3 March 2014| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20140304010837/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/03/oscar-pistorius-reeva-steenkamp-murder-trial-opens | archivedate = 4 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Abreu|first=Valeska|title = Oscar trial lost in translation? |url= http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/oscar-trial-lost-in-translation-1.1661259 | accessdate =19 March 2014|newspaper=Pretoria News|date=14 March 2014|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20140319090403/http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/oscar-trial-lost-in-translation-1.1661259 | archivedate =19 March 2014|deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title= Anger over Pistorius trial interpreters | url =http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2014/03/14/anger-over-pistorius-trial-interpreters |accessdate= 19 March 2014|newspaper=The Sowetan|date=14 March 2014|archivedate=16 March 2014 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20140316143104/http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2014/03/14/anger-over-pistorius-trial-interpreters |deadurl= no}}</ref> Section 35 of the South African ] provides that "Every accused person has a right to a fair trial, which includes the right... to be tried in a language that the accused person understands or, if that is not practicable, to have the proceedings interpreted in that language".<ref>{{cite web| work =Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 | title = Chapter 2: Bill of Rights | url= http://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/1996/96cons2.htm |publisher= GCIS|accessdate= 19 March 2014 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20131005074905/http://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/1996/96cons2.htm |archivedate= 5 October 2013}}</ref> At the start of the trial, Masipa told the court that the proceedings would be held in ] with the assistance of interpreters, and confirmed that Pistorius is English-speaking.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial Day 1 Part 1 Oscar pleads not guilty|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7TcAwxFLNo|publisher= Google | work = YouTube | accessdate =19 March 2014|quote=Masipa: ‘The accused is English-speaking?’, Nel: ‘Indeed, My Lady’.}}</ref> Difficulties related to court interpreters have led to court delays, mistranslations and witnesses opting to testify in English rather than their first language.<ref name=Runaway>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=David | title = Oscar Pistorius: a runaway interpreter, then the trial of the century begins|url = http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/03/oscar-pistorius-reeva-steenkamp-murder-trial-opens |accessdate = 18 March 2014| newspaper= The Guardian| date= 3 March 2014| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20140304010837/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/03/oscar-pistorius-reeva-steenkamp-murder-trial-opens | archivedate = 4 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Abreu|first=Valeska|title = Oscar trial lost in translation? |url= http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/oscar-trial-lost-in-translation-1.1661259 | accessdate =19 March 2014|newspaper=Pretoria News|date=14 March 2014|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20140319090403/http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/oscar-trial-lost-in-translation-1.1661259 | archivedate =19 March 2014|deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title= Anger over Pistorius trial interpreters | url =http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2014/03/14/anger-over-pistorius-trial-interpreters |accessdate= 19 March 2014|newspaper=The Sowetan|date=14 March 2014|archivedate=16 March 2014 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20140316143104/http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2014/03/14/anger-over-pistorius-trial-interpreters |deadurl= no}}</ref>
Line 49: Line 49:
In his opening statement read out by Pistorius family lawyer Kenny Oldwage,<ref name=Infographic/> Pistorius said he believed Steenkamp was in bed when he shot at what he thought was an intruder behind the toilet door, and that he had spoken to her in bed shortly beforehand.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pistorius neighbour 'heard fight'|url= http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26417240 | accessdate =11 March 2014| work =BBC News|date=7 March 2014}}</ref> He admitted to killing Steenkamp, but denied the charge of murder.<ref name= "BdlivePlea">{{cite news|title= Pistorius pleads not guilty on day one of murder trial|url= http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2014/03/03/pistorius-pleads-not-guilty-on-day-one-of-murder-trial |accessdate= 11 March 2014|newspaper= Business Day|date= 3 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=Grant>{{cite web|last=Grant|first=James|work=Criminal Law of South Africa|url=http://criminallawza.net/2014/03/03/the-pistorius-defence/|title=The Pistorius Defence|date=3 March 2014|accessdate=22 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140322212221/http://criminallawza.net/2014/03/03/the-pistorius-defence/|archivedate=22 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> In his opening statement read out by Pistorius family lawyer Kenny Oldwage,<ref name=Infographic/> Pistorius said he believed Steenkamp was in bed when he shot at what he thought was an intruder behind the toilet door, and that he had spoken to her in bed shortly beforehand.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pistorius neighbour 'heard fight'|url= http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26417240 | accessdate =11 March 2014| work =BBC News|date=7 March 2014}}</ref> He admitted to killing Steenkamp, but denied the charge of murder.<ref name= "BdlivePlea">{{cite news|title= Pistorius pleads not guilty on day one of murder trial|url= http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2014/03/03/pistorius-pleads-not-guilty-on-day-one-of-murder-trial |accessdate= 11 March 2014|newspaper= Business Day|date= 3 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=Grant>{{cite web|last=Grant|first=James|work=Criminal Law of South Africa|url=http://criminallawza.net/2014/03/03/the-pistorius-defence/|title=The Pistorius Defence|date=3 March 2014|accessdate=22 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140322212221/http://criminallawza.net/2014/03/03/the-pistorius-defence/|archivedate=22 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref>


The lead defence advocate in the case is Barry Roux.<ref name=Infographic/><ref>{{cite news| last= Smith | first = David|title=Key players in the Oscar Pistorius trial|url= http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/28/key-players-oscar-pistorius-trial |accessdate= 14 March 2014|newspaper= The Guardian| date= 28 February 2014 | archiveurl =http://www.webcitation.org/6O4tl7VU0|archivedate= 14 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> In ], murder is defined as the intentional unlawful killing of another human being. The defence of Pistorius is that, in shooting at what he believed to be an intruder, he mistakenly believed he was acting in self-defence. Self-defence excludes the unlawfulness requirement of criminal liability – so that an act in valid self-defence is lawful. Technically his defence amounts to a claim that he did not intend to act unlawfully. If he can raise a reasonable doubt in his favour that he was actually mistaken, as he claims, he is entitled, under South African law, to a complete acquittal on the charge of murder. The court will then consider whether this mistake was reasonable – one that a reasonable person, in his circumstances, may have made. If the court concludes that this was an unreasonable mistake, it will convict him of culpable homicide (all other requirements assumed). Culpable homicide in South African criminal law is defined as the negligent unlawful killing of another human being – roughly the equivalent of the English and US manslaughter.<ref name=Grant/> The lead defence advocate in the case is Barry Roux.<ref name=Infographic/><ref>{{cite news| last= Smith | first = David|title=Key players in the Oscar Pistorius trial|url= http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/28/key-players-oscar-pistorius-trial |accessdate= 14 March 2014|newspaper= The Guardian| date= 28 February 2014 | archiveurl =http://www.webcitation.org/6O4tl7VU0|archivedate= 14 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> In ], murder is defined as the intentional unlawful killing of another human being. The defence of Pistorius is that, in shooting at what he believed to be an intruder, he mistakenly believed he was acting in self-defence. Self-defence excludes the unlawfulness requirement of criminal liability – so that an act in valid self-defence is lawful. Technically his defence amounts to a claim that he did not intend to act unlawfully. If he can raise a reasonable doubt in his favour that he was actually mistaken, as he claims, he is entitled, under South African law, to a complete acquittal on the charge of murder. The court will then consider whether this mistake was reasonable – one that a reasonable person, in his circumstances, may have made. If the court concludes that this was an unreasonable mistake, it will convict him of culpable homicide (all other requirements assumed). Culpable homicide in South African criminal law is defined as the negligent unlawful killing of another human being – roughly the equivalent of the English and US manslaughter.<ref name=Grant/>


=== Progress of the trial === === Progress of the trial ===
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On 24 March, the court heard testimony about messages sent on iPhones between Pistorius and Steenkamp using ]. Ninety percent of them were described as loving and normal, but there were several from Steenkamp accusing Pistorius of jealousy and possessiveness. In one of them, sent less than three weeks before her killing, Steenkamp told Pistorius "I'm scared of you sometimes, of how you snap at me", and described his behaviour as "nasty".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/24/world/africa/south-africa-pistorius-trial/ | title=Reeva to Oscar Pistorius: 'I'm scared of you sometimes' | work=] | date= 24 March 2014 | last =Greene | first = Richard Allen|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6OK7yWSqu|archivedate= 24 March 2014 |deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Oscar, Reeva messages 90% normal, loving – cop|url = http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Oscar_Pistorius/Oscar-Reeva-messages-90-normal-loving-cop-20140324 | accessdate =25 March 2014|newspaper=News24|date=24 March 2014|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20140325090501/http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Oscar_Pistorius/Oscar-Reeva-messages-90-normal-loving-cop-20140324 |archivedate=25 March 2014|deadurl= no}}</ref> The State rested their case on Tuesday March 25, 2014, having called 20 witnesses from an original list of 107.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/25/oscar-pistorius-trial-prosecution-rests |title=Oscar Pistorius Prepares to Testify |publisher= The Guardian| accessdate=April 19, 2014 }}</ref> On 24 March, the court heard testimony about messages sent on iPhones between Pistorius and Steenkamp using ]. Ninety percent of them were described as loving and normal, but there were several from Steenkamp accusing Pistorius of jealousy and possessiveness. In one of them, sent less than three weeks before her killing, Steenkamp told Pistorius "I'm scared of you sometimes, of how you snap at me", and described his behaviour as "nasty".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/24/world/africa/south-africa-pistorius-trial/ | title=Reeva to Oscar Pistorius: 'I'm scared of you sometimes' | work=] | date= 24 March 2014 | last =Greene | first = Richard Allen|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6OK7yWSqu|archivedate= 24 March 2014 |deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Oscar, Reeva messages 90% normal, loving – cop|url = http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Oscar_Pistorius/Oscar-Reeva-messages-90-normal-loving-cop-20140324 | accessdate =25 March 2014|newspaper=News24|date=24 March 2014|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20140325090501/http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Oscar_Pistorius/Oscar-Reeva-messages-90-normal-loving-cop-20140324 |archivedate=25 March 2014|deadurl= no}}</ref> The State rested their case on Tuesday March 25, 2014, having called 20 witnesses from an original list of 107.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/25/oscar-pistorius-trial-prosecution-rests |title=Oscar Pistorius Prepares to Testify |publisher= The Guardian| accessdate=April 19, 2014 }}</ref>


On 28 March, the trial was postponed until 7 April as one of the assessors fell ill.<ref name = Postponed /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/29/world/africa/judge-postpones-oscar-pistorius-defense-hearings.html | title= Murder Trial of Pistorius Is Postponed After Illness|first1= Sarah| last1 = Lyall | first2 = Alan |last2= Cowell|work= ]|date= 28 March 2014|accessdate= 29 March 2014}}</ref> On 7 April, Pistorius began testifying in his own defence at the trial.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis | first =Rebecca|title= Pistorius Trial: Week Five, Day One|url= http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-07-pistorius-trial-week-5-day-1/ |publisher=]|archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6OfHC8iQu |archivedate=7 April 2014|deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week five - day two|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-08-pistorius-trial.-week-five-day-two/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PInEM3ZF|archivedate=3 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> The cross examination of Pistorius lasted for five days, and ended on 15 April.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/apr/15/oscar-pistorius-final-cross-examination-murder-trial-video?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |title=Oscar Pistorius Faces Final Day of Cross Examination |publisher= The Guardian| accessdate=April 19, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week five - day three|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-09-pistorius-trial-week-five-day-three/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PIndvd59|archivedate=3 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week five - day four|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-10-pistorius-trial-week-five-day-four/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PJ0uqGkp|archivedate=4 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week five - day five|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-11-pistorius-trial-week-five-day-five/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PJ1BQLK8|archivedate=4 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week six - day one|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-14-pistorius-trial-week-6-day-1/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PJ1ma3P8|archivedate=4 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name= "DM card">{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week six - day two|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-15-pistorius-trial-week-6-day-2/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PJ1vuw4p|archivedate=4 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Re-examination by defence lasted less than ten minutes, in the course of which defence asked Pistorius to read from a Valentine card which Steenkamp had given the athlete. Steenkamp had written: "I think today is a good day to tell you that, I love you". Pistorius previously testified that he opened the card on Steenkamp's birthday in August 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oscar Pistorius trial sees Reeva Steenkamp Valentine's card|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27041156}}</ref><ref name= "DM card"/> On 28 March, the trial was postponed until 7 April as one of the assessors fell ill.<ref name = Postponed /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/29/world/africa/judge-postpones-oscar-pistorius-defense-hearings.html | title= Murder Trial of Pistorius Is Postponed After Illness|first1= Sarah| last1 = Lyall | first2 = Alan |last2= Cowell|work= ]|date= 28 March 2014|accessdate= 29 March 2014}}</ref> On 7 April, Pistorius began testifying in his own defence at the trial.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis | first =Rebecca|title= Pistorius Trial: Week Five, Day One|url= http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-07-pistorius-trial-week-5-day-1/ |publisher=]|archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6OfHC8iQu |archivedate=7 April 2014|deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week five - day two|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-08-pistorius-trial.-week-five-day-two/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PInEM3ZF|archivedate=3 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> The cross examination of Pistorius lasted for five days, and ended on 15 April.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/apr/15/oscar-pistorius-final-cross-examination-murder-trial-video?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |title=Oscar Pistorius Faces Final Day of Cross Examination |publisher= The Guardian| accessdate=April 19, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week five - day three|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-09-pistorius-trial-week-five-day-three/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PIndvd59|archivedate=3 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week five - day four|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-10-pistorius-trial-week-five-day-four/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PJ0uqGkp|archivedate=4 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week five - day five|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-11-pistorius-trial-week-five-day-five/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PJ1BQLK8|archivedate=4 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week six - day one|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-14-pistorius-trial-week-6-day-1/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PJ1ma3P8|archivedate=4 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name= "DM card">{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week six - day two|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-15-pistorius-trial-week-6-day-2/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PJ1vuw4p|archivedate=4 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Re-examination by defence lasted less than ten minutes, in the course of which defence asked Pistorius to read from a Valentine card which Steenkamp had given the athlete. Steenkamp had written: "I think today is a good day to tell you that, I love you". Pistorius previously testified that he opened the card on Steenkamp's birthday in August 2013.<ref name= "DM card"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Oscar Pistorius trial sees Reeva Steenkamp Valentine's card|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27041156}}</ref>


Following further defence testimony the trial was adjourned until 5 May.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week six - day three|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-16-pistorius-trial-week-6-day-3/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PJimYZIE|archivedate=4 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week six - day four|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-17-pistorius-trial-week-6-day-4/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PJiGbQCW|archivedate=4 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Following further defence testimony the trial was adjourned until 5 May.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week six - day three|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-16-pistorius-trial-week-6-day-3/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PJimYZIE|archivedate=4 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial. Week six - day four|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-17-pistorius-trial-week-6-day-4/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PJiGbQCW|archivedate=4 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref>
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On 9 May, Wolmarans countered a suggestion from a prosecution ballistics expert that Steenkamp cowered with her hand over her head. "The left hand cannot have been against her head because there were no wounds and no brain tissue on the inside of her hand" he said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/09/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/|title=Oscar Pistorius defense suggests Steenkamp wasn't cowering}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial: Week Seven, Day Four|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-05-09-pistorius-trial-week-seven-day-four/|newspaper=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PUoxy3pw|archivedate=11 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> On 9 May, Wolmarans countered a suggestion from a prosecution ballistics expert that Steenkamp cowered with her hand over her head. "The left hand cannot have been against her head because there were no wounds and no brain tissue on the inside of her hand" he said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/09/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/|title=Oscar Pistorius defense suggests Steenkamp wasn't cowering}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial: Week Seven, Day Four|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-05-09-pistorius-trial-week-seven-day-four/|newspaper=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PUoxy3pw|archivedate=11 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref>


On 12 May, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Merryl Vorster testified that Pistorius has a ] (GAD) and is a "distrusting and guarded" person hyper-vigilant about security, and also that in a ] situation he is more likely to stand up to threatening situations than to flee, due to his disability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1259754/oscar-pistorius-suffers-from-anxiety-disorder|title=Oscar Pistorius 'Suffers From Anxiety Disorder'}}</ref> The prosecution said they would bring an application for Pistorius' mental condition to be independently assessed under of the South African ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial: Week Eight, Day One|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-05-12-pistorius-trial-week-8-day-1/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PWgEd1Yo|archivedate=13 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> On 12 May, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Merryl Vorster testified that Pistorius has a ] (GAD) and is a "distrusting and guarded" person hyper-vigilant about security, and also that in a ] situation he is more likely to stand up to threatening situations than to flee, due to his disability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1259754/oscar-pistorius-suffers-from-anxiety-disorder|title=Oscar Pistorius 'Suffers From Anxiety Disorder'}}</ref> The prosecution said they would bring an application for Pistorius' mental condition to be independently assessed under of the South African ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial: Week Eight, Day One|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-05-12-pistorius-trial-week-8-day-1/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PWgEd1Yo|archivedate=13 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref>


On 13 May, the court heard concluding testimony from Dr. Vorster. Judge Masipa said she would rule the following day on the prosecution application to have Pistorius' mental condition evaluated.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial: Week Eight, Day Two|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-05-13-pistorius-trial-week-8-day-2/|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PYHS7HE6|archivedate=14 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> On 13 May, the court heard concluding testimony from Dr. Vorster. Judge Masipa said she would rule the following day on the prosecution application to have Pistorius' mental condition evaluated.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial: Week Eight, Day Two|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-05-13-pistorius-trial-week-8-day-2/|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PYHS7HE6|archivedate=14 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref>


On 14 May, Judge Masipa granted the prosecution's application for Pistorius to be referred for mental evaluation.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial: Week 8, Day 3|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-05-14-pistorius-trial-week-8-day-3/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PZgAoXBR|archivedate=14 May 2014|deadurl= no}}</ref> On 14 May, Judge Masipa granted the prosecution's application for Pistorius to be referred for mental evaluation.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial: Week 8, Day 3|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-05-14-pistorius-trial-week-8-day-3/|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PZgAoXBR|archivedate=14 May 2014|deadurl= no}}</ref>


On 20 May, Judge Masipa ordered evaluation to take place as an out-patient at ] in Pretoria weekdays between 9am and 4pm, starting 26 May and lasting up to thirty days.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/oscar-pistorius-to-start-mental-evaluation-next-week-1.2647805|title=Oscar Pistorius to start mental evaluation next week}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial: Week Nine, Day One|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-05-20-pistorius-trial-week-nine-day-1/|newspaper=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PiTSoLCx|archivedate=20 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> The evaluation found that Pistorius was not mentally incapacitated.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/30/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/index.html|title = Psych evaluation: Oscar Pistorius not mentally incapacitated during shooting|last = |first = |date = |work = |accessdate = }}</ref> On 20 May, Judge Masipa ordered evaluation to take place as an out-patient at ] in Pretoria weekdays between 9am and 4pm, starting 26 May and lasting up to thirty days.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/oscar-pistorius-to-start-mental-evaluation-next-week-1.2647805|title=Oscar Pistorius to start mental evaluation next week}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Rebecca|title=Pistorius Trial: Week Nine, Day One|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-05-20-pistorius-trial-week-nine-day-1/|newspaper=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6PiTSoLCx|archivedate=20 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> The evaluation found that Pistorius was not mentally incapacitated.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/30/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/index.html|title = Psych evaluation: Oscar Pistorius not mentally incapacitated during shooting|last = |first = |date = |work = |accessdate = }}</ref>
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On 1 July, Lin conceded it was possible that state witnesses heard screams from the Pistorius house from up to 177 meters away. Peet van Zyl, Pistorious's agent, testified that Pistorius was in a "loving and caring relationship" with Reeva Steenkamp. Van Zyl described the sprinter as "hypervigilant", and said he rarely lost his temper.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/01/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/|title = Oscar Pistorius loved Reeva Steenkamp, agent says|last = |first = |date = |work = |accessdate = }}</ref> On 1 July, Lin conceded it was possible that state witnesses heard screams from the Pistorius house from up to 177 meters away. Peet van Zyl, Pistorious's agent, testified that Pistorius was in a "loving and caring relationship" with Reeva Steenkamp. Van Zyl described the sprinter as "hypervigilant", and said he rarely lost his temper.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/01/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/|title = Oscar Pistorius loved Reeva Steenkamp, agent says|last = |first = |date = |work = |accessdate = }}</ref>


On 2 July, defence lawyer Roux read excerpts from a psychologist's report, which stated "Mr Pistorius has been severely traumatised by the events that took place on 14 February 2013, He currently suffers from a post-traumatic stress disorder, and a major depressive disorder … The degree of anxiety and depression that is present is significant. He is also mourning the loss of Ms Steenkamp. Mr Pistorius is being treated and should continue to receive clinical care by a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist for his current condition. Should he not receive proper clinical care, his condition is likely to worsen and increase the risk for suicide."<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/02/oscar-pistorius-suicide-risk-psychologist|title = Oscar Pistorius traumatised and may be suicide risk, psychologist finds|last = |first = |date = |work = |accessdate = }}</ref> The report did not confirm a diagnosis of "Generalised Anxiety Disorder" by a witness called by the defence, ""No evidence could be found to indicate that Mr Pistorius suffered from anxiety to the extent that it impaired his functioning prior to the incident in February 2013.". The report found some jealousy but no evidence of abuse by Pistorius: "There is evidence to indicate that Mr Pistorius was genuine with his feelings towards Miss Steenkamp and that they had a normal loving relationship. He did become insecure and jealous at times but this was normal for the specific situation. He would express his displeasure and irritation but would try and sort it out later by talking with Miss Steenkamp. Although the relationship was still young, there were no signs of abusive coercion like those often found in these kinds of relationships." <ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/02/oscar-pistorius-suicide-risk-psychologist|title = Oscar Pistorius traumatised and may be suicide risk, psychologist finds|last = |first = |date = |work = |accessdate = }}</ref> Wayne Derman, professor of sport and exercise medicine at the University of Cape Town, testified that Pistorius was "hyper-vigilant" and restless.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2014/07/02/oscar-pistorius-psych-report-murder-trial-reeva-steenkamp/11999903/|title = Psych report says Oscar Pistorius is traumatized|last = |first = |date = |work = |accessdate = }}</ref> On 2 July, defence lawyer Roux read excerpts from a psychologist's report, which stated "Mr Pistorius has been severely traumatised by the events that took place on 14 February 2013, He currently suffers from a post-traumatic stress disorder, and a major depressive disorder … The degree of anxiety and depression that is present is significant. He is also mourning the loss of Ms Steenkamp. Mr Pistorius is being treated and should continue to receive clinical care by a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist for his current condition. Should he not receive proper clinical care, his condition is likely to worsen and increase the risk for suicide."<ref name="theguardian.com">{{Cite news|url = http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/02/oscar-pistorius-suicide-risk-psychologist|title = Oscar Pistorius traumatised and may be suicide risk, psychologist finds|last = |first = |date = |work = |accessdate = }}</ref> The report did not confirm a diagnosis of "Generalised Anxiety Disorder" by a witness called by the defence, ""No evidence could be found to indicate that Mr Pistorius suffered from anxiety to the extent that it impaired his functioning prior to the incident in February 2013.". The report found some jealousy but no evidence of abuse by Pistorius: "There is evidence to indicate that Mr Pistorius was genuine with his feelings towards Miss Steenkamp and that they had a normal loving relationship. He did become insecure and jealous at times but this was normal for the specific situation. He would express his displeasure and irritation but would try and sort it out later by talking with Miss Steenkamp. Although the relationship was still young, there were no signs of abusive coercion like those often found in these kinds of relationships." <ref name="theguardian.com"/> Wayne Derman, professor of sport and exercise medicine at the University of Cape Town, testified that Pistorius was "hyper-vigilant" and restless.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2014/07/02/oscar-pistorius-psych-report-murder-trial-reeva-steenkamp/11999903/|title = Psych report says Oscar Pistorius is traumatized|last = |first = |date = |work = |accessdate = }}</ref>


On 3 July, under cross-examination, Derman testified "You've got a paradox of an individual who is supremely able, and you've got an individual who is significantly disabled". Derman, who had treated Pistorius over six years while working with South African Olympic and Paralympic teams, said Pistorius' anxieties included concern about flying. "He has a specific fear of being trapped somewhere without being able to move very rapidly." and that on the night he killed Steenkamp,"fleeing was not an option" as Pistorius was not wearing his articifial legs. Prosecutor Nel suggested Derman could not give evidence against his patient. "The truth would come before my patient," Derman responded.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/oscar-pistorius/10943190/Oscar-Pistorius-is-a-paradox-physician-tells-trial.html|title = Oscar Pistorius is a paradox, physician tells trial|last = |first = |date = |work = |accessdate = }}</ref> On 3 July, under cross-examination, Derman testified "You've got a paradox of an individual who is supremely able, and you've got an individual who is significantly disabled". Derman, who had treated Pistorius over six years while working with South African Olympic and Paralympic teams, said Pistorius' anxieties included concern about flying. "He has a specific fear of being trapped somewhere without being able to move very rapidly." and that on the night he killed Steenkamp,"fleeing was not an option" as Pistorius was not wearing his articifial legs. Prosecutor Nel suggested Derman could not give evidence against his patient. "The truth would come before my patient," Derman responded.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/oscar-pistorius/10943190/Oscar-Pistorius-is-a-paradox-physician-tells-trial.html|title = Oscar Pistorius is a paradox, physician tells trial|last = |first = |date = |work = |accessdate = }}</ref>
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==Notable media coverage== ==Notable media coverage==
] ]

===Print media=== ===Print media===
*'']'' published a cover story titled "Pistorius and South Africa's culture of violence" in the 11 March 2013 issue of the magazine.<ref>{{cite web|last=Perry|first=Alex|title=Pistorius and South Africa's culture of violence|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2137420-1,00.html|date=11 March 2013|work=]|accessdate=1 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Man Superman Gunman: Mar. 11, 2013|url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,20130311,00.html|work=]|accessdate=1 March 2013}}</ref> *'']'' published a cover story titled "Pistorius and South Africa's culture of violence" in the 11 March 2013 issue of the magazine.<ref>{{cite web|last=Perry|first=Alex|title=Pistorius and South Africa's culture of violence|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2137420-1,00.html|date=11 March 2013|work=]|accessdate=1 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Man Superman Gunman: Mar. 11, 2013|url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,20130311,00.html|work=]|accessdate=1 March 2013}}</ref>
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*On 4 March 2014, '']'' published an article by South African crime novelist ], "Oscar Pistorius trial: the imaginary black stranger at heart of the defence", describing how the case "taps into a painful narrative in which race, sex, power and violence converge".<ref>{{cite web|last=Orford|first=Margie|title=Oscar Pistorius trial: the imaginary black stranger at heart of the defence|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/04/oscar-pistorius-trial-black-stranger-defence|work=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6NwXsRVqG|archivedate=9 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> *On 4 March 2014, '']'' published an article by South African crime novelist ], "Oscar Pistorius trial: the imaginary black stranger at heart of the defence", describing how the case "taps into a painful narrative in which race, sex, power and violence converge".<ref>{{cite web|last=Orford|first=Margie|title=Oscar Pistorius trial: the imaginary black stranger at heart of the defence|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/04/oscar-pistorius-trial-black-stranger-defence|work=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6NwXsRVqG|archivedate=9 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref>
*In his '']'' column published on 13 March 2014, Caxton Professor of Journalism at ] Anton Harber states that the trial represents a turning point for local newspapers unable to compete with "the speed and conversational nature of electronic media". He also notes that the fact that the presiding judge has "her finger on the off button for live broadcast" is restraining the behaviour of the media.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harber|first=Anton|title=Pistorius trial represents a turning point for the dailies|url=http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2014/03/13/pistorius-trial-represents-a-turning-point-for-the-dailies|accessdate=16 March 2014|newspaper=Business Day|date=13 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140314022225/http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2014/03/13/pistorius-trial-represents-a-turning-point-for-the-dailies|archivedate=14 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> *In his '']'' column published on 13 March 2014, Caxton Professor of Journalism at ] Anton Harber states that the trial represents a turning point for local newspapers unable to compete with "the speed and conversational nature of electronic media". He also notes that the fact that the presiding judge has "her finger on the off button for live broadcast" is restraining the behaviour of the media.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harber|first=Anton|title=Pistorius trial represents a turning point for the dailies|url=http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2014/03/13/pistorius-trial-represents-a-turning-point-for-the-dailies|accessdate=16 March 2014|newspaper=Business Day|date=13 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140314022225/http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2014/03/13/pistorius-trial-represents-a-turning-point-for-the-dailies|archivedate=14 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref>
*Several cartoons about the case by award-winning South African cartoonist ] have been published. A cartoon titled "St. Valentine's Day Shocker" published in the '']'' on 14 February 2013 depicts two scenarios, one portraying the ] version of events based on mistaken identity and the other portraying Pistorius as an ] winning actor.<ref>{{cite web|date=14 February 2013|title=St. Valentine's Day Shocker|url=http://www.zapiro.com/cartoon/1463115-130214mg|publisher=Zapiro|accessdate=17 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130218003635/http://www.zapiro.com/cartoon/1463115-130214mg|archivedate=18 February 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> A cartoon titled "Reeva Steenkamp as Lady Justice in Oscar Pistorius Trial" published in the '']'' on 4 March 2014 depicts Steenkamp as ] running after Pistorius.<ref>{{cite web|date=4 March 2014|title=Reeva Steenkamp as Lady Justice in Oscar Pistorius Trial|url=http://www.zapiro.com/cartoon/2111059-140304tt|publisher=Zapiro|accessdate=17 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140317100034/http://www.zapiro.com/cartoon/2111059-140304tt|archivedate=17 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> *Several cartoons about the case by award-winning South African cartoonist ] have been published. A cartoon titled "St. Valentine's Day Shocker" published in the '']'' on 14 February 2013 depicts two scenarios, one portraying the ] version of events based on mistaken identity and the other portraying Pistorius as an ] winning actor.<ref>{{cite web|date=14 February 2013|title=St. Valentine's Day Shocker|url=http://www.zapiro.com/cartoon/1463115-130214mg|publisher=Zapiro|accessdate=17 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130218003635/http://www.zapiro.com/cartoon/1463115-130214mg|archivedate=18 February 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> A cartoon titled "Reeva Steenkamp as Lady Justice in Oscar Pistorius Trial" published in the '']'' on 4 March 2014 depicts Steenkamp as ] running after Pistorius.<ref>{{cite web|date=4 March 2014|title=Reeva Steenkamp as Lady Justice in Oscar Pistorius Trial|url=http://www.zapiro.com/cartoon/2111059-140304tt|publisher=Zapiro|accessdate=17 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140317100034/http://www.zapiro.com/cartoon/2111059-140304tt|archivedate=17 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref>
*A controversial ] advertisement captioned "money back if he walks" was published in British tabloid '']'' on 2 March 2014 as a publicity stunt. The UK ] found that Paddy Power breached the ] and brought the advertising industry into disrepute after receiving a record number of 5,525 complaints that the advertisement made light of a murder trial, the death of a woman, domestic violence and disability.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jivanda|first=Tomas|title=Oscar Pistorius murder trial: Paddy Power prompts outrage by offering 'money back if he walks' bets|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-paddy-power-prompts-outrage-by-offering-money-back-if-he-walks-bets-on-murder-case-9163814.html|accessdate=12 April 2014|newspaper=The Independent|date=2 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140303024111/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-paddy-power-prompts-outrage-by-offering-money-back-if-he-walks-bets-on-murder-case-9163814.html|archivedate=3 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Withnall|first=Adam|title=Paddy Power Oscar Pistorius ‘money back if he walks’ ad broke rules and brought UK advertising into disrepute, ASA finds|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/paddy-power-oscar-pistorius-money-back-if-he-walks-ad-broke-rules-and-brought-uk-advertising-into-disrepute-asa-finds-9201875.html|accessdate=12 April 2014|newspaper=The Independent|date=19 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140401154257/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/paddy-power-oscar-pistorius-money-back-if-he-walks-ad-broke-rules-and-brought-uk-advertising-into-disrepute-asa-finds-9201875.html|archivedate=1 April 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=]|accessdate=12 April 2014|date=19 March 2014|url=http://asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2014/3/Paddy-Power-plc/SHP_ADJ_261396.aspx|title=ASA Adjudication on Paddy Power plc|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140324033400/http://asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2014/3/Paddy-Power-plc/SHP_ADJ_261396.aspx|archivedate=24 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> *A controversial ] advertisement captioned "money back if he walks" was published in British tabloid '']'' on 2 March 2014 as a publicity stunt. The UK ] found that Paddy Power breached the ] and brought the advertising industry into disrepute after receiving a record number of 5,525 complaints that the advertisement made light of a murder trial, the death of a woman, domestic violence and disability.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jivanda|first=Tomas|title=Oscar Pistorius murder trial: Paddy Power prompts outrage by offering 'money back if he walks' bets|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-paddy-power-prompts-outrage-by-offering-money-back-if-he-walks-bets-on-murder-case-9163814.html|accessdate=12 April 2014|newspaper=The Independent|date=2 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140303024111/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-paddy-power-prompts-outrage-by-offering-money-back-if-he-walks-bets-on-murder-case-9163814.html|archivedate=3 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Withnall|first=Adam|title=Paddy Power Oscar Pistorius ‘money back if he walks’ ad broke rules and brought UK advertising into disrepute, ASA finds|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/paddy-power-oscar-pistorius-money-back-if-he-walks-ad-broke-rules-and-brought-uk-advertising-into-disrepute-asa-finds-9201875.html|accessdate=12 April 2014|newspaper=The Independent|date=19 March 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140401154257/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/paddy-power-oscar-pistorius-money-back-if-he-walks-ad-broke-rules-and-brought-uk-advertising-into-disrepute-asa-finds-9201875.html|archivedate=1 April 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=]|accessdate=12 April 2014|date=19 March 2014|url=http://asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2014/3/Paddy-Power-plc/SHP_ADJ_261396.aspx|title=ASA Adjudication on Paddy Power plc|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140324033400/http://asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2014/3/Paddy-Power-plc/SHP_ADJ_261396.aspx|archivedate=24 March 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref>


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* ], a TV channel focussing on sports-related programming, is covering the trial on their ] network.<ref>{{cite web|last=Munson|first=Lester|title=Prosecutor chides Oscar Pistorius|url=http://espn.go.com/olympics/trackandfield/story/_/id/10760391/prosecutor-criticizes-behavior|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6OjnLKslj|archivedate=10 April 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> * ], a TV channel focussing on sports-related programming, is covering the trial on their ] network.<ref>{{cite web|last=Munson|first=Lester|title=Prosecutor chides Oscar Pistorius|url=http://espn.go.com/olympics/trackandfield/story/_/id/10760391/prosecutor-criticizes-behavior|publisher=]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6OjnLKslj|archivedate=10 April 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref>


* On 16 June 2014, ] aired an hour-long documentary titled ''Oscar Pistorius: Shots in the Dark''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/cbs-examines-oscar-pistorius-case-detail-article-1.1829067|title=To mark 20th anniversary of O.J. Simpson case, CBS looks at the South African 'Trial of the Century'}}</ref> * On 16 June 2014, '']'' aired an hour-long documentary titled ''Oscar Pistorius: Shots in the Dark''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/cbs-examines-oscar-pistorius-case-detail-article-1.1829067|title=To mark 20th anniversary of O.J. Simpson case, CBS looks at the South African 'Trial of the Century'}}</ref>


* On 6 July 2014, ] ] dedicated an hour-long episode of '']'' to a story titled ''Running Scared'' which was their own investigation into the likelihood of Pistorius' guilt. The story included Pistorius' own reenactments as well as audio recordings and animations of the scene, and gave much heavier weight to claims of his innocence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/features/a/24395332/new-footage-of-pistorius-revealed/|title=New footage of Pistorius revealed|accessdate=6 July 2014}}</ref> The following day, many in South Africa, including Pistorius' family and legal team, slammed the broadcast, saying the reenactment footage had been illegally obtained. They claimed the footage was created solely for trial preparation and that the US company engaged to create it had breached contract by selling it to Seven Network.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/pistorius-lawyers-slam-leaked-channel-7-footage-20140707-zsyb2.html/|title=Pistorius lawyers slam leaked Channel 7 footage|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> Seven Network refused to apologise, stating that they stood by their decision to air the story and denying any involvement in illegal procurement of the footage. They reminded the public that Steenkamp's family participated in the creation of the story, citing their interviews that went to air.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} * On 6 July 2014, ] ] dedicated an hour-long episode of '']'' to a story titled ''Running Scared'' which was their own investigation into the likelihood of Pistorius' guilt. The story included Pistorius' own reenactments as well as audio recordings and animations of the scene, and gave much heavier weight to claims of his innocence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/features/a/24395332/new-footage-of-pistorius-revealed/|title=New footage of Pistorius revealed|accessdate=6 July 2014}}</ref> The following day, many in South Africa, including Pistorius' family and legal team, slammed the broadcast, saying the reenactment footage had been illegally obtained. They claimed the footage was created solely for trial preparation and that the US company engaged to create it had breached contract by selling it to Seven Network.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/pistorius-lawyers-slam-leaked-channel-7-footage-20140707-zsyb2.html/|title=Pistorius lawyers slam leaked Channel 7 footage|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> Seven Network refused to apologise, stating that they stood by their decision to air the story and denying any involvement in illegal procurement of the footage. They reminded the public that Steenkamp's family participated in the creation of the story, citing their interviews that went to air.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}
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Revision as of 16:51, 9 August 2014

The State vs Oscar Pistorius
The Palace of Justice in Pretoria
CourtGauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa in Pretoria
Case history
Related actionsMultichoice (Proprietary) Limited and others v National Prosecuting Authority and another [2014] ZAGPPHC 37, Gauteng Division, Pretoria (South Africa) (broadcasting of proceedings)
Court membership
Judge sittingThokozile Masipa

The trial of Oscar Pistorius for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp and several gun-related charges (The State vs Oscar Pistorius) in the High Court of South Africa in Pretoria commenced on 3 March 2014. Pistorius is a leading South African runner, who won attention as an athlete with a disability competing at a high level, including multiple Paralympic Games and the 2012 Summer Olympics. Steenkamp, a model, was his girlfriend. In the early morning of Thursday, 14 February 2013, Steenkamp was shot and killed by Pistorius at his Pretoria home. Pistorius acknowledged that he shot Steenkamp to death and said that he mistook her for an intruder. Pistorius was taken into police custody and was formally charged with murder in a Pretoria court on 15 February 2013.

On 25 February 2014, Judge President Dunstan Mlambo ruled in the High Court in Pretoria that the entire trial may be broadcast live via audio and that parts of the trial may be broadcast live via television, namely the opening and closing arguments, the testimony of consenting state witnesses, the judgment, and the sentencing if applicable.

Bail hearing

The bail hearing commenced on 19 February 2013 under Chief Magistrate of Pretoria Desmond Nair. During the hearing, both prosecution and defence said that Pistorius had fired four shots through a locked toilet door, hitting Steenkamp three times inside. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel claimed that Pistorius had put on his prosthetic legs, walked across his bedroom to the bathroom, and intentionally shot Steenkamp through the door. Nel argued that the time required for this process was sufficient to establish the alleged murder as premeditated. Pistorius said that he had thought Steenkamp was in the bed, and that the person in the toilet was an intruder.

Chief investigating officer Hilton Botha said at the bail hearing that a witness had heard gunshots coming from Pistorius' home and then a female screaming followed by more gunshots; he initially said the witness was 600 metres away, but later said the distance was 300 metres. Botha also said the trajectory of the gunshots indicated that they had been fired downward and directly toward the toilet, seemingly conflicting with Pistorius' statement that he was not wearing his prosthetics at the time. He acknowledged that procedural mistakes had been made during the crime scene investigation and that police had found no evidence inconsistent with the version of events presented by Pistorius, adding later that equally nothing contradicted the police version, either. On 22 February 2013, Botha was removed from the case following revelations that he was facing attempted murder charges stemming from a 2009 incident. Botha was replaced by Vineshkumar Moonoo, described as "the most senior detective" in the South African Police Service.

On the first day of the bail hearing, Magistrate Nair ruled that for the purposes of the bail hearing Pistorius was charged with a Schedule 6 criminal offence, which relates to serious crimes including premeditated murder and requires exceptional circumstances for release on bail. On 22 February 2013, at the conclusion of the four-day bail hearing, Magistrate Nair said that the state had not convinced him that Pistorius posed a flight risk and fixed bail at R1 million (US$113,000). On 4 June 2013 the court case was postponed to allow time for further investigation until a hearing at Pretoria Magistrate's Court on 19 August 2013, when Pistorius was formally indicted on two charges of murder and the illegal possession of ammunition. The indictment noted that even if Pistorius was mistaken in the identity of the person he shot, the intention was to kill.

In late June 2013, Pistorius returned to training, reportedly looking much thinner and wearing a beard. His agent said that it was a very emotional experience for Pistorius and that returning had been a "bittersweet" moment for him.

Trial

Dates for a trial to be held at the Gauteng Division of the High Court were initially set from 3 to 20 March 2014, and later extended until 16 May 2014. The court was set to adjourn after proceedings on 17 April 2014, returning on 5 May 2014, to accommodate scheduling conflicts of the prosecution.

The murder trial commenced on 3 March 2014 in the High Court in Pretoria. Pistorius is also facing a charge of illegal possession of ammunition and two charges of firing a gun in a public space. The trial was assigned to Judge Thokozile Masipa, who appointed two assessors, Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko, to help her evaluate the case and reach a verdict. There is no jury, as the jury system in South Africa was abolished during apartheid.

Section 35 of the South African Bill of Rights provides that "Every accused person has a right to a fair trial, which includes the right... to be tried in a language that the accused person understands or, if that is not practicable, to have the proceedings interpreted in that language". At the start of the trial, Masipa told the court that the proceedings would be held in English with the assistance of interpreters, and confirmed that Pistorius is English-speaking. Difficulties related to court interpreters have led to court delays, mistranslations and witnesses opting to testify in English rather than their first language.

The opening statement of prosecutor Gerrie Nel noted that the murder case against Pistorius is based largely on circumstantial evidence, as there were no eyewitnesses to the incident. Contrary to statements made in the bail hearing, the prosecution's case in the trial is that Pistorius was not wearing his prosthetic legs at the time of the shooting, or when he broke the toilet door down afterwards. Prosecution expert witness Christian Mangena, a police ballistics analyst, testified "the shooter was most likely not wearing prosthetic legs". Prosecution expert witness Johannes Vermeulen, a police forensic analyst, testified Pistorius was not wearing his prosthetic legs when he broke the toilet door down with a cricket bat after the shooting. Pistorius pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him, including murder and three gun-related charges.

In his opening statement read out by Pistorius family lawyer Kenny Oldwage, Pistorius said he believed Steenkamp was in bed when he shot at what he thought was an intruder behind the toilet door, and that he had spoken to her in bed shortly beforehand. He admitted to killing Steenkamp, but denied the charge of murder.

The lead defence advocate in the case is Barry Roux. In South African criminal law, murder is defined as the intentional unlawful killing of another human being. The defence of Pistorius is that, in shooting at what he believed to be an intruder, he mistakenly believed he was acting in self-defence. Self-defence excludes the unlawfulness requirement of criminal liability – so that an act in valid self-defence is lawful. Technically his defence amounts to a claim that he did not intend to act unlawfully. If he can raise a reasonable doubt in his favour that he was actually mistaken, as he claims, he is entitled, under South African law, to a complete acquittal on the charge of murder. The court will then consider whether this mistake was reasonable – one that a reasonable person, in his circumstances, may have made. If the court concludes that this was an unreasonable mistake, it will convict him of culpable homicide (all other requirements assumed). Culpable homicide in South African criminal law is defined as the negligent unlawful killing of another human being – roughly the equivalent of the English and US manslaughter.

Progress of the trial

On the first and second day of the trial, a witness testified to hearing sounds of arguing that lasted about an hour. Several witnesses testified to what were described as a woman's screams and gunshots on the night Steenkamp died.

On the morning of day three, the defence resumed the cross examination of witnesses claiming to have heard a woman's screams and gunshots. The defence sought to establish that this was in fact Pistorius screaming for help and that the "explosive sounds" heard was the door to the toilet being battered down. In the afternoon the prosecution continued with testimony relating to an incident when a shot was fired in a restaurant the year previously.

On the fourth day, Pistorius' neighbour, Johan Stipp, a radiologist, testified that he found Pistorius praying over Steenkamp's body when he went over to help after being woken by what he described as the sound of gunshots and a woman screaming. Stipp testified that the first thing he remembered Pistorius saying when he saw him was "I shot her. I thought she was a burglar. I shot her." Stipp also testified that the light was on in the bathroom and he saw a figure moving as a woman screamed.

On day five the court heard testimony from a former girlfriend of Pistorius and from a security guard at the estate where Pistorius lived, on duty the night of the events. The court adjourned until the following Monday 10 March 2014.

The trial entered its sixth day on 10 March. Pistorius vomited multiple times in court, as the state pathologist delivered graphic testimony about the nature of Steenkamp's injuries.

On 24 March, the court heard testimony about messages sent on iPhones between Pistorius and Steenkamp using WhatsApp. Ninety percent of them were described as loving and normal, but there were several from Steenkamp accusing Pistorius of jealousy and possessiveness. In one of them, sent less than three weeks before her killing, Steenkamp told Pistorius "I'm scared of you sometimes, of how you snap at me", and described his behaviour as "nasty". The State rested their case on Tuesday March 25, 2014, having called 20 witnesses from an original list of 107.

On 28 March, the trial was postponed until 7 April as one of the assessors fell ill. On 7 April, Pistorius began testifying in his own defence at the trial. The cross examination of Pistorius lasted for five days, and ended on 15 April. Re-examination by defence lasted less than ten minutes, in the course of which defence asked Pistorius to read from a Valentine card which Steenkamp had given the athlete. Steenkamp had written: "I think today is a good day to tell you that, I love you". Pistorius previously testified that he opened the card on Steenkamp's birthday in August 2013.

Following further defence testimony the trial was adjourned until 5 May.

On 5 May, Johan Stander, manager of the estate where Pistorius lived, testified that Pistorius called at 3.18am saying “Please, please come to my house. I shot Reeva, I thought she was an intruder. Please, please come quick.” He went with his daughter and found Pistorius coming down the stairs with Steenkamp in his arms. “He was broken, he was screaming, he was crying, he was praying, I saw the truth that morning”, he said.

On 6 May, a married couple who lived next to Pistorius' house testified that they both heard a man crying loudly in a high-pitched voice and calling three times for help. Another immediate neighbour testified that she heard a man crying, describing the sounds as a "cry of pain". Both sets of witnesses confirmed under cross-examination that they did not hear gunshots. There was no hearing Wednesday 7 May, due to the South African general election. Defence lawyer Barry Roux indicated that he would be finished with witness testimony by Tuesday 13 May.

On 8 May, professor Christina Lundgren, an anaesthesiologist, testified that estimates of the time Steenkamp last ate were not reliable. The defence also called Yvette van Schalkwyk, a social worker and probation officer assigned to Pistorius, who had contacted the defence after reading newspaper reports suggesting Pistorius was acting and that his emotional responses were insincere. She said that in February 2013 she sat with him in the cells during his bail appearance, where he vomited twice, cried eighty percent of the time, and was in mourning and suffering emotionally, and that Pistorius told her that he missed Steenkamp a great deal. "He loved her. .. He couldn't think what her parents must be going through" she said. Under cross-examination, Lundgren conceded that Pistorius had not told her he was sorry he killed Reeva. The defence ballistics expert and former police officer Tom Wolmarans began his testimony.

On 9 May, Wolmarans countered a suggestion from a prosecution ballistics expert that Steenkamp cowered with her hand over her head. "The left hand cannot have been against her head because there were no wounds and no brain tissue on the inside of her hand" he said.

On 12 May, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Merryl Vorster testified that Pistorius has a generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and is a "distrusting and guarded" person hyper-vigilant about security, and also that in a fight or flight situation he is more likely to stand up to threatening situations than to flee, due to his disability. The prosecution said they would bring an application for Pistorius' mental condition to be independently assessed under article 78 of the South African Criminal Procedure Act.

On 13 May, the court heard concluding testimony from Dr. Vorster. Judge Masipa said she would rule the following day on the prosecution application to have Pistorius' mental condition evaluated.

On 14 May, Judge Masipa granted the prosecution's application for Pistorius to be referred for mental evaluation.

On 20 May, Judge Masipa ordered evaluation to take place as an out-patient at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria weekdays between 9am and 4pm, starting 26 May and lasting up to thirty days. The evaluation found that Pistorius was not mentally incapacitated.

On 30 June, surgeon Gerald Versfeld, who amputated Pistorius' lower legs when he was 11 months old, testified about the effects of Pistorius walking or standing on his stumps. Acoustic engineer Ivan Lin testified that tests suggested that if Steenkamp was screaming in Pistorius’ toilet, it was “very unlikely” that the screams would be audible or intelligible from 177m away, and that “although we can typically distinguish male and female screams, you cannot do so reliably, without exception”. Judge Masipa also issued an order that police officers depose affidavits about a missing electrical extension cord.

On 1 July, Lin conceded it was possible that state witnesses heard screams from the Pistorius house from up to 177 meters away. Peet van Zyl, Pistorious's agent, testified that Pistorius was in a "loving and caring relationship" with Reeva Steenkamp. Van Zyl described the sprinter as "hypervigilant", and said he rarely lost his temper.

On 2 July, defence lawyer Roux read excerpts from a psychologist's report, which stated "Mr Pistorius has been severely traumatised by the events that took place on 14 February 2013, He currently suffers from a post-traumatic stress disorder, and a major depressive disorder … The degree of anxiety and depression that is present is significant. He is also mourning the loss of Ms Steenkamp. Mr Pistorius is being treated and should continue to receive clinical care by a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist for his current condition. Should he not receive proper clinical care, his condition is likely to worsen and increase the risk for suicide." The report did not confirm a diagnosis of "Generalised Anxiety Disorder" by a witness called by the defence, ""No evidence could be found to indicate that Mr Pistorius suffered from anxiety to the extent that it impaired his functioning prior to the incident in February 2013.". The report found some jealousy but no evidence of abuse by Pistorius: "There is evidence to indicate that Mr Pistorius was genuine with his feelings towards Miss Steenkamp and that they had a normal loving relationship. He did become insecure and jealous at times but this was normal for the specific situation. He would express his displeasure and irritation but would try and sort it out later by talking with Miss Steenkamp. Although the relationship was still young, there were no signs of abusive coercion like those often found in these kinds of relationships." Wayne Derman, professor of sport and exercise medicine at the University of Cape Town, testified that Pistorius was "hyper-vigilant" and restless.

On 3 July, under cross-examination, Derman testified "You've got a paradox of an individual who is supremely able, and you've got an individual who is significantly disabled". Derman, who had treated Pistorius over six years while working with South African Olympic and Paralympic teams, said Pistorius' anxieties included concern about flying. "He has a specific fear of being trapped somewhere without being able to move very rapidly." and that on the night he killed Steenkamp,"fleeing was not an option" as Pistorius was not wearing his articifial legs. Prosecutor Nel suggested Derman could not give evidence against his patient. "The truth would come before my patient," Derman responded.

On 8 July, the defence closed its case. Defence lawyer Barry Roux protested "We were unable to call a number of witnesses because they refused, and didn't want their voices heard all over the world." Closing arguments were heard on 7 and 8 August, and Judge Masipa adjourned the trial until 11 September when she will give her verdict.

Notable media coverage

Pistorius in 2011

Print media

  • Time published a cover story titled "Pistorius and South Africa's culture of violence" in the 11 March 2013 issue of the magazine.
  • Vanity Fair published a feature story about the incident titled "The Shooting Star and The Model" in the Crime section of their June 2013 issue.
  • Pieces of the Puzzle: Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp Part One: The Killing by Laurianne Claase was published in 2013, initially as an e-book and subsequently in print. Claase plans to publish a book sequel after the trial has ended.
  • On 4 March 2014, The Guardian published an article by South African crime novelist Margie Orford, "Oscar Pistorius trial: the imaginary black stranger at heart of the defence", describing how the case "taps into a painful narrative in which race, sex, power and violence converge".
  • In his Business Day column published on 13 March 2014, Caxton Professor of Journalism at Wits University Anton Harber states that the trial represents a turning point for local newspapers unable to compete with "the speed and conversational nature of electronic media". He also notes that the fact that the presiding judge has "her finger on the off button for live broadcast" is restraining the behaviour of the media.
  • Several cartoons about the case by award-winning South African cartoonist Zapiro have been published. A cartoon titled "St. Valentine's Day Shocker" published in the Mail & Guardian on 14 February 2013 depicts two scenarios, one portraying the culpable homicide version of events based on mistaken identity and the other portraying Pistorius as an Oscar winning actor. A cartoon titled "Reeva Steenkamp as Lady Justice in Oscar Pistorius Trial" published in the The Times on 4 March 2014 depicts Steenkamp as Lady Justice running after Pistorius.
  • A controversial Paddy Power advertisement captioned "money back if he walks" was published in British tabloid The Sun on 2 March 2014 as a publicity stunt. The UK Advertising Standards Authority found that Paddy Power breached the CAP Code and brought the advertising industry into disrepute after receiving a record number of 5,525 complaints that the advertisement made light of a murder trial, the death of a woman, domestic violence and disability.

Radio, television, and film

  • On 11 March 2013, BBC Three aired an hour long documentary about the incident titled Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened? Discovery Networks International acquired the broadcasting rights to the programme, which will be titled Blade Runner: The Untold Story in the United States.
  • On 3 June 2013, Channel 5 aired two consecutive hour-long documentaries titled Why Did Oscar Pistorius Kill Our Daughter? and Pistorius Trial: The Key Questions.
  • In February 2014 eNCA aired a half-hour documentary special about Steenkamp's life titled Reeva: The Model You Thought You Knew.
  • On 29 January 2014, it was announced that South African satellite pay-channel DStv would launch a dedicated 24-hour channel providing in-depth coverage of the Oscar Pistorius trial on 2 March 2014. It was DStv's first pop-up channel covering a major news story.
  • ESPN, a TV channel focussing on sports-related programming, is covering the trial on their ESPN3 network.
  • On 16 June 2014, 48 Hours aired an hour-long documentary titled Oscar Pistorius: Shots in the Dark.
  • On 6 July 2014, Australia's Seven Network dedicated an hour-long episode of Sunday Night to a story titled Running Scared which was their own investigation into the likelihood of Pistorius' guilt. The story included Pistorius' own reenactments as well as audio recordings and animations of the scene, and gave much heavier weight to claims of his innocence. The following day, many in South Africa, including Pistorius' family and legal team, slammed the broadcast, saying the reenactment footage had been illegally obtained. They claimed the footage was created solely for trial preparation and that the US company engaged to create it had breached contract by selling it to Seven Network. Seven Network refused to apologise, stating that they stood by their decision to air the story and denying any involvement in illegal procurement of the footage. They reminded the public that Steenkamp's family participated in the creation of the story, citing their interviews that went to air.

Social media

  • On 14 February 2014, South African comedian Trevor Noah posted on Twitter: "And the Oscar goes to – Jail". Noah received criticism from his followers and other South Africans. People who responded to this post include Top Billing presenter Janez Vermeiren, who responded: "@Trevornoah c'mon you are more than talented and have enough followers, you don't need to seek attention like this!"
  • On 23 February 2014, Pistorius's PR team launched a Twitter account called Factual Updates which operates under the Twitter handle @OscarHardTruth in order to provide new information regarding the case as the trial unfolds. On 17 March 2014, Pistorius's media manager Anneliese Burgess released a statement saying the account would only be used to alert followers of media statements and articles and would be used as a stand-alone communication trial once the trial had concluded.
  • Writing in her Daily Maverick column published on 4 March 2014, Sisonke Msimang finds vibrancy and emerging self-confidence reflected in the local social media coverage of the trial. While the trial inevitably represents a fall from grace prompting international media accounts of a country 'at war with itself', South Africans are learning that such accounts are better told by themselves.
  • On 14 April 2014, former Sunday Times columnist, Jani Allan published an open letter to Pistorius on her blog. The piece was republished by the Daily Maverick the following day. Allan described Pistorius as a "faux hero" and compared him to Eugene Terre'Blanche. She also suggested that he had taken acting lessons in preparation for his court appearance. A spokesperson for the Pistorius family has denied this; "We deny in the strongest terms the contents of her letter in as far it relates to our client and further deny that our client has undergone any acting lessons or any form of emotional coaching."

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