Pages

Monday, March 3, 2014

Oscar Pistorius pleads not guilty at Reeva Steenkamp murder trial Monday March 03,2014

 The start to proceedings at the court in the capital were delayed by 90 minutes as a Afrikaans translator was absent.


Oscar Pistorius's uncle, brother and sister are also in court; next to them on the relatives' bench is the family of Reeva Steenkamp, including her mother June

Oscar Pistorius shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp(29),a model and reality TV star, at his home in Pretoria on February 14,2013


State prosecutors allege the killing was premeditated, but he claims he mistook her for an intruder.

For the first time in South Africa, parts of the trial will be televised live. Media interest is high.

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has pleaded not guilty at the start of his trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

Lawyers acting for and against South African athlete Oscar Pistorius agree that Reeva Steenkamp was killed on 14 February between 04:00 and 05:00 local time (02:00 and 03:00 GMT).

But they agree on little else.

The prosecution argues that Reeva Steenkamp's death was the result of pre-meditated murder following an argument between the couple.

107 WITNESSES LINED UP FOR TRIAL

Prosecutors have named 107 witnesses they can call during the trial. They include:

- Twenty people — neighbors, security guards and other workers — who are connected to the gated estate where Pistorius lived

- Ten criminal experts including forensic and ballistics specialists and criminal psychologists

- Pistorius's uncle Arnold, brother Carl and sister Aimee are witnesses for the state

- Johan Stander, a manager at his gated estate, who was named by Pistorius as the first person he called to get an ambulance after shooting Miss Steenkamp


The defence led by Barry Roux says there is no evidence of this and there is not even evidence of murder. It argues that Oscar Pistorius made a tragic mistake and should face a lesser charge, possibly of culpable homicide



Gerrie Nel, who is leading the prosecution team, read out the indictment


State prosecutors say Oscar Pistorius planned the killing and shot Reeva Steenkamp after a row.

But Oscar Pistorius says he shot his girlfriend through the bathroom door of his home in Pretoria after mistaking her for a burglar.

If found guilty of premeditated murder, Oscar Pistorius could face life imprisonment.

Oscar Pistorius has also been charged with illegally possessing ammunition.

Oscar Pistorius talks to his legal team before the start of the second day March 04,2014 of his murder trial

Oscar Pistorius's brother Carl, sister Aimee and aunt Lois

Reeva Steenkamp's mother, June, arrives at the court to face Oscar Pistorius for the first time since he shot her daughter at his home on Valentine's Day last year Feb 14,2013





Note

Oscar Pistorius won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and also competed at the Olympics.

No comments:

Post a Comment