The trial of Oscar Pistorius for the Valentine's Day killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp -- Pretoria, South Africa

Oscar Pistorius trial: South Africa's legal system in the spotlight
 
By Susannah Cullinane and Nick Thompson, CNN
updated 12:27 PM EST, Fri February 28, 2014


'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius
1 of 17 - Oscar Pistorius appears in a Pretoria, South Africa, courtroom in August. Pistorius, the first amputee to compete at an able-bodied Olympics, is accused of murdering his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, on February 14, 2013. His trial begins March 3.

Editor's note: South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius has been charged with murdering his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, at his Pretoria home. CNN spoke to James Grant, Ph.D. in criminal law and senior lecturer in criminal law and evidence at South Africa's University of the Witwatersrand, about what might happen next.

(CNN) -- What is Oscar Pistorius charged with?

The Paralympic sprinter stands accused of the premeditated murder of Reeva Steenkamp in his home on February 14, 2013. He also faces a gun charge related to the killing, along with two additional gun-related charges for two separate instances of firing a gun in a public space before the killing.

Read more:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/22/world/africa/pistorius-legal-q-and-a/index.html

Oscar Pistorius trial to be broadcast on TV, rules South African judge

Judge makes legal history in South Africa, ruling that parts of the trial of Oscar Pistorius for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp can be broadcast on TV and all of it on radio



By Aislinn Laing, Johannesburg
11:36AM GMT 25 Feb 2014

A South African judge has ruled that parts of the trial of Oscar Pistorius, the Paralympic athlete accused of murdering his girlfriend, can be broadcast live on television.

Judge Dunstan Mlambo, sitting at Pretoria High Court where Pistorius’ trial is due to begin on Monday, said that broadcasting the proceedings would go “a long way” to dispelling the perception that the rich and poor were treated differently by the country’s justice system.

He allowed the installation of small, fixed cameras that will live broadcast the opening and closing arguments of the lawyers, the evidence of experts, and the judgement and sentencing comments made by the trial judge.

Read more:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/oscar-pistorius/10660023/Oscar-Pistorius-trial-to-be-broadcast-on-TV-rules-South-African-judge.html

Oscar Pistorius 'told security guard everything was fine' after shooting girlfriend

Oscar Pistorius 'failed to call for help' after shooting girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead

By  Aislinn Laing, Johannesburg
4:14PM GMT 21 Feb 2014

Oscar Pistorius allegedly told a private security guard on the phone that everything was “fine” after he had shot dead his model girlfriend.

The South African paralympian did not call police or security guards to his home inside a compound east of Pretoria after Reeva Steenkamp was shot, but instead prepared his defence and called friends to help, a South African radio station claiming to have details of the prosecution case against him has alleged.

The 27-year-old athlete will stand trial on March 3 for the premeditated murder of Steenkamp, 29, a law graduate and FHM model, at his home in the early hours of St Valentine’s Day last year.

Read more:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/oscar-pistorius/10654128/Oscar-Pistorius-told-security-guard-everything-was-fine-after-shooting-girlfriend.html

Vinnie Politan ‏@VinniePolitan  · 50m  
The Blade Runner trial the next big trial you'll see on On the Case 3/3@12p ET #onthecase #OscarPistorius #oscartrial pic.twitter.com/bzME7S3Vnh



Vinnie Politan ‏@VinniePolitan  · 1h  
See some of the final tweets from Pistorius' gf before she died. #OscarPistorius #Pistorius #onthecase #oscartrial pic.twitter.com/4EGtnlkYmi



https://twitter.com/VinniePolitan?original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realitychatter.com%2F&tw_i=439469458965274624&tw_p=embeddedtimeline&tw_w=369093545820291072

Leaked Photographs of Oscar Pistorius Murder of Reeva ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqbQlaPMjdg

Conflicting Accounts of Reeva Steenkamp's Death Emerge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbnJ5TmjSFQ

Oscar Pistorius Case: Dramatic Details Emerge on Eve of Blade Runner's Murder Trial

By Elaine Aradillas
02/21/2014 at 04:45 PM EST



Reeva Steenkamp and Oscar Pistorius
Gallo Images/REX USA

The Oscar Pistorius trial is less than two weeks away and newly leaked documents show startling revelations about the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of the Olympic star's girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Read more:

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20789711,00.html

Key Questions in Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial

By ALYSSA NEWCOMB (@alyssanewcomb)

Feb. 28, 2014


ABC Entertainment News | ABC Business News

The shooting death of model Reeva Steenkamp by "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius has captured global attention and led to a blot of unresolved questions, but those questions will begin to be answered Monday when Pistorius goes on trial on a charge of premeditated murder.

Prosecutors in Pretoria, South Africa, say Pistorius, 27, intentionally shot Steenkamp, 29, in the bathroom of his home in a gated community on Valentine's Day in 2013 during an argument. Pistorius also faces three firearms charges.

Read more:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/key-questions-oscar-pistorius-murder-trial/story?id=22703362

Video shows Olympian Oscar Pistorius shooting at gun range before he shot girlfriend

Published February 28, 2014 / Associated Press



JOHANNESBURG – Newly released video shows Oscar Pistorius, who faces a murder trial next week, firing weapons at a gun range before the double-amputee athlete fatally shot his girlfriend last year.

Sky News on Friday broadcast footage of Pistorius firing a shotgun and using a pistol to shoot a watermelon, which bursts on impact. Delighted screams and laughter from unidentified people are heard in the background.

Read more:

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/02/28/video-shows-olympian-oscar-pistorius-shooting-at-gun-range-before-shot/

RELATED ARTICLES:

Report: Cops found bloody cricket bat



Updated Feb 17, 2013 8:09 PM ET

Oscar Pistorius' defense that he shot his girlfriend by mistake may be dashed by a report that Reeva Steenkamp's skull was crushed and that a bloody cricket bat was found at the scene.

Read more:

http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/oscar-pistorius-blade-runner-murder-girlfriend-case-report-new-evidence-police-bloody-cricket-bat-021713

__________________

Oscar Pistorius' girlfriend's skull 'crushed'

A bloodied cricket bat found at Oscar Pistorius' home is central to the evidence against him, a South African newspaper has reported.

The star athlete, known as the Blade Runner, is charged with the murder of girlfriend  Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot four times at his home on Valentine's Day.

The City Press newspaper reported that a cricket bat covered in blood was found at Pistorius's home and was the central piece of evidence against him.

The newspaper said sources close to the investigation had told it Steenkamp's skull was crushed. Police had also asked Pistorius to be tested for drugs.

Read more:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/8316451/Oscar-Pistorius-girlfriends-skull-crushed

__________________

Report: Steroids Found at Home of Oscar Pistorius

The Atlantic Wire
By Dashiell Bennett | February 18, 2013 8:14 AM

The theory that Oscar Pistorius may have lashed out at his girlfriend in a "roid rage" attack is apparently more than just wild speculation, as the there are now reports that illegal drugs were found in the Olympic sprinter's home. The UK paper The Sun reported on Monday that police found banned performance enhancing drugs in his Pretoria home during their investigation of the crime scene. The source says they also found evidence of heaving drinking, which prompted them to order full drug tests of the suspect.

Read more:

http://news.yahoo.com/report-steroids-found-home-oscar-pistorius-131405281.html

Lead detective in Oscar Pistorius murder investigation flies to Apple HQ to access phone records: report

The transcontinental visit ahead of next week's trial in South Africa follows months of struggle by the South African Police Service to gain access to the double-amputee's iPhone 5 that was found at the scene of the crime, the Telegraph reported.

By Nina Golgowski  / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Thursday, February 27, 2014, 3:54 PM.

South Africa's lead detective in the Oscar Pistorius murder investigation has flown to Apple's headquarters in California in a last-minute bid to access his deleted phone messages, according to a report.

The transcontinental visit ahead of next week's trial follows months of struggle by the South African Police Service to gain access to the double-amputee's iPhone 5, the Telegraph reported.

The phone was recovered lying outside the bathroom where Pistorius' model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, 29, was found brutally shot to death on Valentine's Day last year.

When questioned by authorities, Pistorius, an Olympic track star, claimed to have forgotten his Apple ID code used to log into the device.

Read more:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/detective-oscar-pistorius-murder-investigation-flies-apple-hq-article-1.1704277#ixzz2ueVrmEiZ

Oscar Pistorius: South Africa gears up for its 'trial of the century'

By Nick Thompson, CNN
updated 8:43 AM EST, Sat March 1, 2014

CNN) -- He was one of South Africa's favorite sons, an amputee track star who defied all the odds and sprinted into the hearts of millions during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. She was a staggering beauty with the brains to match, a law graduate and model whose star was on the rise.

Oscar Pistorius, 27, and his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, 29, were a young, attractive and high-profile couple who were popular in South Africa's social circles. The "Blade Runner," who won six Paralympic gold medals and was the first double amputee runner to compete in the Olympics, was an international superstar. Cover girl Steenkamp, soon to star in a TV reality show, was on the cusp of becoming a celebrity in her own right.

But everything changed before dawn on Valentine's Day 2013, as Steenkamp lay lifeless in a pool of blood on the floor of her boyfriend's house in an upscale gated community in Pretoria. Moments before, Pistorius says, he had pointed his 9mm Parabellum pistol towards an upstairs toilet room and fired four bullets through the locked door.

He says he mistook Steenkamp for a burglar. The state says it was cold-blooded murder.

Read more:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/01/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial-preview/index.html

Reeva Steenkamp: Model, law graduate and 'sweetest human being'
 
By Faith Karimi, CNN
updated 8:54 AM EST, Sat March 1, 2014


South African model Reeva Steenkamp died in February 2013 after she was shot at the home of her boyfriend, Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius. She was 29. Pistorius has been charged with murder.

(CNN) -- A week before her death, South African model Reeva Steenkamp talked about her secure, blissful environment.

"I woke up in a happy, safe home this morning," she tweeted. "Not everyone did."

Four days after she posted that message, neither did she.

The 29-year-old model was found shot dead in her boyfriend's house in an upscale neighborhood in Pretoria.

~Snipped~

Beauty and brains

Before she started dating Pistorius, Steenkamp was famous in her own right.

A striking, platinum-haired model, gearing up for her reality television debut.

A law school graduate, with a vibrant personality and a slew of modeling gigs under her belt.

Her growing exposure brought more opportunities. She served as a presenter for FashionTV in South Africa, was an FHM cover girl and was the face of cosmetics company Avon.

Read more:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/14/world/africa/south-africa-model-profile/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/01/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial-preview/index.html
CNN - 3/1/14

Oscar Pistorius: South Africa gears up for its 'trial of the century'

Snipped:

When Pistorius steps once again into the spotlight Monday, more than a year after that fateful morning, it will be as the defendant in South Africa's "trial of the century." Hundreds of journalists from around the world will be in Pretoria to witness the proceedings get under way. Millions more will follow parts of the trial on live television, thanks to a judge's decision last week allowing cameras in a South African courtroom for the first time -- although any testimony by Pistorius, or witnesses who do not consent, will not be televised.


~~~~~~~~~
Above bolded by AnnTx

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/25/world/africa/south-africa-pistorius-trial/index.html
CNN -  2/26/14

Oscar Pistorius murder trial may be partly televised, judge rules

Snipped:

To balance those interests, the judge said Pistorius and defense witnesses, as well as prosecution witnesses who choose not to give consent, should not be filmed by TV cameras as they testify. He also placed some limitations on still photography.

However, the prosecution and defense opening statements and closing arguments, police evidence and experts' testimony can be broadcast on TV, Mlambo said, and live audio recording for radio broadcast will be permitted for the whole trial.

Keep in mind .. .  . Africa is 8 hours ahead of us (if I remember correctly).

http://www.wildabouttrial.com/one_off/oscar-pistorius-trial-live-stream/
WildAboutTrial -

Oscar Pistorius Trial Live Stream – Starting March 3rd at 3am ET

The Oscar Pistorius trial will begin at 3am ET on Monday, March 3rd.

The current schedule will be 3-4:15am, 4:30-6am, 7-9am ET.

We want to continue the discussion on Twitter, Facebook and the comment section on this post. We will be responding to your tweets and posts throughout the trial.

Learn More

Learn more about the witnesses here
Learn more about the evidence here
Read articles about this case here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the Linked site, you can click on the above.

________________________________________________________________________________

On the WAT video box, one can click on Live Stream and watch the trial. The video box seems to be larger at this Link:

http://new.livestream.com/accounts/4903803/events/2811169
LiveStream - Oscar Pistorius Trial - Day 1 Part 1

This appears to be a good source to follow tweets.  Lucy Thornton (Mirror.co.UK) is tweeting, posting pics, linking pics, etc.

I know there will be many folks tweeting. If you are following someone on Twitter who appears to be a good source, please share the Twitter Link here on this thread.

Thanks!



http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/oscar-pistorius-trial-live-updates-3201648
Mirror.co.uk - Tweets and "live stream"

Snipped:

7:24 am
Lucy Thornton (is the one tweeting and also linking or posting pics)

June Steenkamp appeared to be on the verge of tears as she arrived in court.

Reeva's mother, 67, will come face to face with her daughter's killer for the first time.

She said nothing to waiting press as she entered the court.
~~~

7:35 am
Evidence will be seen on 10 TV screens.

They have been set up for Pistorius, the legal teams, the judge and the media.

All of the Pistorius defence team is now in court.

7:47 am
The Steenkamp and Pistorius family are sat next to one another in court.

They are still waiting for the arrival of Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius.

The prosecution and defence teams are now in the judge's chambers.



Debora Patta @Debora_Patta
Follow
#OscarPistorius the two families - Oscar's and Reeva's sit side by side on the front bench
1:36 AM - 3 Mar 2014

Source:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/oscar-pistorius-trial-live-updates-3201648#ixzz2usrpICDV
Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook

http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream1
CNN -  "Live" stream - Oscar Pistorius on trial

http://whoopwhoop.tv/oscarpistorius.htm
WhoopWhoopTV -  "Live" stream Oscar Pistorius Trial
~~~~~~

This site also includes a "live" chat.  You have to have a Chatango account to participate in the chat.

9:35 am

by Lucy Thornton:

The judge is now running through a few "housekeeping issues".

She tells the court that the proceedings are in English and that they will start at 10am every day.

She is now swearing in some legal experts who will assist her during the trial.


Source:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/oscar-pistorius-trial-live-updates-3201648#ixzz2utJ7AEtC
Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook
~~~~~~~~

10 a.m. in South Africa is 2 a.m. CST/ 3 a.m. EST. They are 8 hours ahead of U. S.

http://new.livestream.com/accounts/4903803/events/2811169/player_pop_out
Livestream.com  -- pop out player:  Oscar Pistorius  trial

Oscar Pistorius: witness describes 'bloodcurdling screams' followed by shots

South African Paralympian pleads not guilty to murdering his girlfriend as his trial opens with a witness testifying she heard terrible screams on the night of the killing



By  Aislinn Laing, Pretoria
12:17PM GMT 03 Mar 2014

A witness living close to Oscar Pistorius' estate heard "blood-curdling screams" before four gunshots on the night his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was killed.

Michell Burger, a lecturer at the University of Pretoria who lived 170m away on a neighbouring estate to Pistorius, said she was woken at 3am "from a woman's terrible screams".

She said the woman "yelled for help" and then she heard a man screaming for help three times, before shots were fired.

She said that there was a gap between the first shot and the next three, describing it as "bang (pause), bang bang bang."

Read more:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/oscar-pistorius/10672989/Oscar-Pistorius-witness-describes-bloodcurdling-screams-followed-by-shots.html

'I heard a woman screaming – and I can’t understand how Pistorius didn't': First witness in Blade Runner's murder trial tells court of moment Reeva Steenkamp was gunned down

. Paralympian denies premeditated murder of Reeva Steenkamp last year
. Neighbour tells the court she was woken at 3am by a woman screaming
. Michell Burger said: 'Just after her screams, I heard four gunshots'
. Prosecutors say Pistorius intentionally shot Miss Steenkamp after a row
. But statement read out by his lawyers says they did not argue that night
. Amputee claims he accidentally killed her after mistaking her for a burglar
. Trial will be shown on 24-hour cable channel devoted to the court case

By SIMOM TOMLINSON
PUBLISHED: 02:42 EST, 3 March 2014  | UPDATED: 08:15 EST, 3 March 2014

Defence: The court was read a statement from the Paralympian in which he denied prosecution claims that he and Miss Steenkamp had argued before he shot her

The first witness to give evidence in Oscar Pistorius's murder trial told how she heard 'blood-curdling' screams from a woman followed by four gunshots on the night Reeva Steenkamp was killed.

Michell Burger, who lives on a neighbouring estate, took to the stand just after the Paralympian pleaded not guilty to murdering his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year.

Speaking in Afrikaans through an interpreter, Ms Burger told how she and her husband had been woken at around 3am that morning by a woman screaming and shouting for help.

'I was still sitting in the bed and I heard her screams. She screamed terribly and she yelled for help,' she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

Tense: Pistorius took his seat, wearing a dark suit and black tie, without looking in June Steenkamp's direction

Read more:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2571942/Oscar-Pistorius-trial-set-begin-family-arrive-court-Reeva-Steenkamps-mother-says-wants-look-eyes-time-shot-dead.html#ixzz2uuIMQLxP

ABC Entertainment News | ABC Business News

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/murder-trial-blade-runner-oscar-pistorius-22744720?tab=9482930§ion=16871352&playlist=22745547


ABC Entertainment News | ABC Business News

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/photos-emerge-ahead-oscar-pistorius-murder-trial-22730111?tab=9482930§ion=1206852&playlist=22730407

Oscar Pistorius Trial: Monday 3 March, Session 1





Oscar Pistorius Trial: Monday 3 March, Session 2

sabcdigitalnews

Streamed live on Mar 3, 2014  
Paralympian Oscar Pistorius's trial is underway in the High Court in Pretoria. Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day in 2013.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HETaggLCsw&list=TLh3ZTkbP-l6x9ISnNZF2A-ZVWalhKgM2C

ABC Entertainment News | ABC Business News

Blade Runner 'Trial of the Century' in South Africa

Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius faces media frenzy as trial for murder of girlfriend opens.

03/03/2014

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/blade-runner-trial-century-south-africa-22749508?tab=9482931§ion=1206828

Pistorius pleads not guilty at start of murder trial

(VIDEO)

Latest update : 2014-03-03

The murder trial of Oscar Pistorius opened Monday in Pretoria, South Africa, with the double amputee Paralympian pleading not guilty to several charges, including the murder of his former girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

Prosecutors charged the 27-year-old Pistorius with murder in Reeva Steenkamp’s death and say it was with premeditation. They say they will seek a life sentence if Pistorius is convicted, the sternest punishment available in South Africa. South Africa no longer has the death penalty.

~Snipped~

The state says Pistorius intentionally killed Steenkamp at his home in the pre-dawn hours of Valentine’s Day last year by shooting her through a toilet door after an argument. Pistorius denies murder and says he killed his girlfriend by mistake when he fired four times through the door thinking there was a dangerous night-time intruder on the other side.

In a statement read out by Pistorius’ lawyer Kenny Oldwage, he described her death as a "tragic accident" in which he had mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder.

Pistorius admitted killing her, but denied murderous intent. "This allegation is denied in the strongest terms," he said. "We were in a loving relationship."

A lesser sentence is possible if Pistorius is found guilty of murder but without premeditation. He also could be convicted of culpable homicide, South Africa’s version of manslaughter in which someone is killed through negligence.

Read more:

http://www.france24.com/en/20140303-pistorius-trial-start-TV-south-africa/

Ann, thank you so much for the updates and the trial live streaming links.

  

Watch live: Oscar Pistorius murder trial

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/oscar-pistorius/10668819/Watch-live-Oscar-Pistorius-murder-trial.html

SABC Oscar Pistorius Trial Coverage - Special Reports

http://www.sabc.co.za/news/f2/f78f390043121a4ba434ed019b337d38/Oscar-Pistorius-Murder-Trial

eNCA Oscar Pistorius Trial | LIVE

http://www.enca.com/oscartrial/

Oscar Trial Channel
@OscarTrial199

The official handle for the Oscar Pistorius Trial. Follow us for live updates.
Channel 199 on DStv. #OscarTrial
oscartrial.com

https://twitter.com/oscartrial199

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/dateline/54541448#54541448

Ales, you are welcome.

Wow! You rock! You did a lot of great updates and great places to follow the trial. Many thanks.

I usually watch Dateline on Friday. This case was featured on their show Friday.
Interesting case.

I am not following this trial but I tried to find a few links in the wee hours for those who might be up (at that time) and trying to find a place to watch the trial.

I know folks that are following this trial will appreciate all of the "great" updates you provided.

Thank you, Ann!

I have been following this case from the time it was announced that "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius had killed his girlfriend. I posted several articles about the fatal incident on "Developing Stories".

I  don't think I'm going to be able to follow the trial as closely as I would like to, but I'm going to read as many articles and watch as many videos (about this case) as I can. I really appreciate all the information that you have provided. You are awesome!

Vinnie Politan ‏@VinniePolitan  · 2h  
12pm ET HLN's On the Case will look at key moments in Pistorius trial & get u caught up. #OscarPistorius #Pistorius #onthecase #OscarTrial

https://twitter.com/VinniePolitan?original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realitychatter.com%2F&tw_i=440484126282760192&tw_p=embeddedtimeline&tw_w=369093545820291072

Aahh, thanks Ales. I have not followed the case but I did watch Dateline Friday. Interesting case; no doubt.

I did watch a little of the trial this a.m. (wee hours for me) and it was a packed court room and there was a huge crowd outside as well . . . even some ladies campaigning (as media there called it) re domestic violence. They were singing and looked like they were dancing.

A paralympian, a beauty queen, Crime, love and death- Pistorius

sabcdigitalnews

Published on Mar 3, 2014  
Olympian Oscar Pistorius has pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder and two charges of unlawfully discharging a firearm in a built-up area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYMqlEDZm2E&list=TLehlU5CqVG4ftZSUSZoET4LFpxtQXpPZI

Be careful what you ask ...

Pistorius' lawyer, Barry Roux: When was the last time that you heard the sounds of gunshots?

The witness, Michelle Burger: On the 14th of February of 2013

(The courtroom erupted in laughter)

 

-----------------------------------------------

Vinnie Politan ‏@VinniePolitan  · 7m  
Cricket bat hitting a door vs. a gun shot big difference huh? #oscarpistorius #bladerunner #pistorius #onth... https://vine.co/v/MAhZjprddeL

Vinnie Politan ‏@VinniePolitan  · 44m  
What's the difference btw a cricket bat & gun shots hitting a door? #onthecase #pistorius #bladerunner #osc... https://vine.co/v/MAb9F1vlu9Y

https://twitter.com/VinniePolitan?original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realitychatter.com%2F&tw_i=440484126282760192&tw_p=embeddedtimeline&tw_w=369093545820291072

On location: Rocky start to Pistorius trial

By Jen Su, special to HLN
updated1:45 PM EST, Mon March 03, 2014

•Double-amputee Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorious is on trial in South Africa for premeditated murder
•Oscar Pistorius says he shot Reeva Steenkamp after mistaking her for an intruder on Valentine's Day 2013



Editor's note: Jen Su is a TV & Radio Presenter for 5 FM, SABC3, and Business Day TV in Johannesburg, South Africa. She will be providing additional coverage and local insight to the Oscar Pistorius murder trial on HLN with Jane Velez-Mitchell weeknights at 7 p.m. ET.

Day 1 of the Oscar Pistorius case began with a rainy, rocky start. The “Trial of the Century”, with the world watching and everyone sitting on the edge of their seats – began a disappointing 90 minutes late.

Paralympic athlete Pistorius arrived on time through a side door to avoid the media frenzy, quickly glancing at Reeva’s mother, June Steenkamp, when entering the courtroom. Judge Thokozile Masipa was dressed in a red robe and spoke with precision and dignity.

So what caused the delay? First, it was the appearance of a woman who went by the name of “Annemarie”, who alleged to be the wife of the surgeon who operated on Oscar Pistorius’ legs when he was a young boy. Dressed in a robe, she ran inside, submitting an appeal to both sides of the legal counsel. Just like she had caused delays in Pistorius’ bail hearing – she was one of the causes of the trial delay yet again. It was almost comical, like a streaker running through a football field for a last hurrah before the Super Bowl.

The other more serious issue that caused the delay in starting the trial was the issue of an Afrikaans-English interpreter.  After going to the wrong courthouse, the interpreter apparently finally arrived at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, where she saw the media circus, got cold feet and started crying that she couldn’t handle the pressure.  Indeed, she could not.

Read more:

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2014/03/03/pistorius-oscar-blade-runner-trial-day-one

Oscar Pistorius defence witness to testify he 'screams like a woman' in bid to discredit claims Reeva Steenkamp shouted before he began firing his gun

. Paralympian denies premeditated murder of Reeva Steenkamp last year
. Defence lawyer says athlete 'may sound like a woman' when he screams
. Neighbour tells the court she was woken at 3am by a woman screaming
. Michell Burger said: 'After blood-curdling screams, I heard four gunshots'
. Says she cannot understand how Pistorius didn't hear any screaming
. Prosecutors say Pistorius intentionally shot Miss Steenkamp after a row
. But statement read out by his lawyers says the pair did not argue that night
. Amputee claims he accidentally killed her after mistaking her for a burglar
. Trial will be shown on 24-hour cable channel devoted to the court case

By SIMON TOMLINSON
PUBLISHED: 02:42 EST, 3 March 2014  | UPDATED: 21:22 EST, 3 March 2014

Paralympian Oscar Pistorius 'may sound like a woman' when he screams, according to a witness who is set to be called to give evidence at his murder trial.

As lawyers for the athlete launched their aggressive defence on the first day of the trial, his advocate Barry Roux told the South African court that he intended to call a witness to testify that Pistorius screams sounded like a woman's.

Mr Rouz made the comment while in a bid to discredit one of Pistorius's neighbours, who claimed she heard a woman's screams before the sound of gunfire as his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was killed.

University lecturer Michell Burger had earlier testified that she heard 'blood-curdling screams' come from the house less than 200 metres away before gunshots were fired at the time Miss Steenkamp died.

Read more:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2571942/Oscar-Pistorius-trial-set-begin-family-arrive-court-Reeva-Steenkamps-mother-says-wants-look-eyes-time-shot-dead.html#ixzz2uxbpsz8q

Oscar Pistorius Trial - Day 2



Oscar Pistorius Trial: Tuesday 4 March 2014, Session 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bFDaTnyvuE&list=TLoRP9tVV-qj7MopEGvTzRjn-PLVXexYPz




Oscar Pistorius Trial: Tuesday 4 March 2014, Session 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAJbbpDGU50&list=TLN2D39NAGJ_v3v8wZFR-N-s7ZNKxMeDOU




Oscar Pistorius Trial: Tuesday 4 March 2014, Session 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uadnpxsXaKY&list=TLtHCtUxYM4fh1zfFb_EGmaiZk_YFTgGsu




Oscar Pistorius Trial: Tuesday 4 March 2014, Session 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN3cN_T-GxU&list=TLL_3P4FIvv3lbUieLUDb9_cHo3lRPuM09

'I forgive him': Reeva Steenkamp's mother shows extraordinary compassion as she says Pistorius was unable to look her in the eye in court room

. Steenkamp revealed on Tuesday that she has forgiven her daughter's killer because 'I don't want to live with bitterness in my life'
. She appeared in court on Monday so that she could come face-to-face with Pistorius, whom she had never met when her daughter was alive
. But the Olympian looked straight ahead and would not look her in the eye
. She refused to speculate on what had happened the night her daughter was killed and said she simply hoped Pistorius told the truth

By LYDIA WARREN
PUBLISHED: 08:48 EST, 4 March 2014  | UPDATED: 08:58 EST, 4 March 2014


Forgiving: June Steenkamp told the Today show that she forgives Oscar Pistorius for shooting dead her daughter Reeva at his home on Valentine's Day last year. She says she refuses to live with bitterness

Mrs Steenkamp, who was seen dabbing her eyes throughout the court proceedings in Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday, said she had appeared in court for her daughter.

'I wanted to see Oscar face-to-face so he would know I was there,' she told Savannah Guthrie.

'I wanted him to see me. I'm the mother of Reeva. It's just important for me that he saw me there. I can't explain to you why but that's what I wanted yesterday.'

But she said that the Olympic athlete was unable to look her in the eye.


Ignored: Pistorius walked straight past Mrs Steenkamp (second from right) at his murder trial on Monday

Read more:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2572949/Reeva-Steenkamps-mother-says-forgives-Pistorius.html#ixzz2v0Pxy6uh

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

http://www.today.com/news/reeva-steenkamps-mother-i-can-forgive-oscar-pistorius-2D79315362

Oscar Pistorius breaks down in court as his lawyer argues that Reeva Steenkamp was so badly brain damaged by gunshot she couldn't have screamed

. Claims made after neighbour said she heard woman's screams after shots
. Witness Michell Burger said she 'heard her voice just after the last shot'
. Lawyer Barry Roux said the model would have 'dropped down immediately'
. Pistorius seen bent double in dock and wiped away tears with handkerchief
. Mr Roux said screams were from Pistorius in 'stage of heightened anxiety'
. Claims gunshots were actually athlete breaking down door with cricket bat
. Another neighbour tells court she heard what sounded like a row that night
. Second day of trial interrupted after TV station showed picture of witness

By SIMON TOMLINSON
PUBLISHED: 03:17 EST, 4 March 2014  | UPDATED: 08:33 EST, 4 March 2014

Oscar Pistorius broke down in court today as his defence lawyer argued that Reeva Steenkamp was so badly brain damaged by the gunshot to her head she couldn't possibly have screamed.

Advocate Barry Roux made the claims in response to a neighbour's testimony that she heard a woman's screams after shots were fired on the night the model was killed.

He told the court: 'We will have experts state that there was serious brain damage after the shot to the head, that it would not have been possible for her to scream at all.

'With the head shot, she would have dropped down immediately.'

Read more:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2572735/Oscar-Pistorius-trial-dramatically-adjourned-claims-witness-shown-television-giving-evidence.html#ixzz2v0Sm0yFH

Didn't the witness (Michelle Burger) state that the screams that she heard were followed by the shots?


Oscar Pistorius trial: Neighbor heard screams then shots night of murder

Monday, March 03, 2014
Associated Press

PRETORIA, South Africa --  The first witness in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial testified Monday to hearing "blood-curdling" screams from a woman before she heard four gunshots on the night the double-amputee Olympian killed his girlfriend.

~Snipped~

Burger's evidence contradicts Pistorius' version of events because the runner said he thought Steenkamp was in bed and did not describe any woman screaming.

"It was very traumatic," Burger said. "You could hear it was blood-curdling screams. You can't translate it into words. The anxiousness in her voice, and fear. It leaves you cold."

Burger said: "She screamed terribly and she yelled for help" and testified that she also heard a man shout for help before the shots were fired.

Pistorius' lawyer, Barry Roux, opened his cross-examination by asking Burger if she thought Pistorius was a liar. She didn't directly answer that but questioned Pistorius' version.

"I can only tell the court what I heard that evening," Burger said. "I cannot understand how I could clearly hear a woman scream but Mr. Pistorius could not hear it."

Read more:

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?id=9452475

Oscar Pistorius Neighbor Who Heard Screams Breaks Down During Trial

March 4, 2014

By LIEZL THOM via GOOD MORNING AMERICA


ABC Entertainment News | ABC Business News

(Dan Abrams and Nancy Grace's comments about the case)

The second day of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial featured tense exchanges between defense attorney Barry Roux and the state’s first witness, university lecturer Michelle Burger – who testified that she heard blood-curdling screams coming from Pistorius’ house in the early hours of Valentine’s Day morning last year. At one point the witness was brought to tears.

Roux repeatedly tried to poke holes in Burger’s story, insinuating that her statement and her husband’s statement are virtual carbon copies. He also tried to get her to acknowledge that the gunshots she heard were in fact Pistorius breaking down the wooden bathroom door with a cricket bat, and, more importantly, that the woman’s voice she thought she heard was rather Pistorius's voice.

Roux had to apologize to Burger for his sarcastic tone after the prosecutor objected. At one point during the cross-examination, Judge Thokozile Masipa instructed the witness to answer “yes,” “no” or “I don’t know” after Roux asked the same question eight times, clearly not happy with the answers Burger gave.

Read more:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-murder-trial-neighbor-grilled/story?id=22762749

Oscar Pistorius trial: the imaginary black stranger at heart of the defence

South African novelist describes how case taps into painful narrative in which race, sex, power and violence converge

Margie Orford in Johannesburg
theguardian.com, Tuesday 4 March 2014 02.00 EST


Reeva Steenkamp's mother June, left, weeps. Photograph: Themba Hadebe/Reuters

The murder trial of Oscar Pistorius is gearing up to be a John Grisham-style courtroom drama. It will be a battle of “expert” opinions because the uncontested fact is that on Valentine’s Day last year Pistorius fired four shots at close range through a locked bathroom door and killed Reeva Steenkamp. This is not in dispute.

What is in dispute is his claim that he did not intend to kill his girlfriend. He says he was shooting at somebody else; that he thought there was an “intruder” in the bathroom; that this killing was a mistake; that it was not just another South African femicide.

So the trial will revolve around Pistorius’ intention: essentially, the psychology of a man who claims to have been driven by fear to shoot before asking any questions. This claim inserts a third body into an all too familiar narrative of domestic violence. This imaginary body of the paranoid imaginings of suburban South Africa has lurked like a bogeyman at the periphery of this story for the past year. It is the threatening body, nameless and faceless, of an armed and dangerous black intruder.

Read more:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/04/oscar-pistorius-trial-black-stranger-defence

Vinnie Politan ‏@VinniePolitan  · 2h  
Get caught up on day 2 of #pistorioustrial on HLN's On the Case from 12-3p ET #OscarTrial #OscarPistorius #Pistorius pic.twitter.com/1b5Xv0UrGs

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