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

Hello everyone...thanks for all of the updates as I'm trying to catch as much as I can.  Several things stood out for me today....of the four shots, witnesses say went like "bang (pause), bang/bang/bang.  OP said he heard wood scraping - many feel he is trying to bring in the magazine rack.  The first shot through the door hit RS on the hip and she fell backwards onto the rack....then OP changed position for the last 3 shots in rapid succession into her.  Theorists have commented that this was intentional - that he changed the direction of his shooting and wasn't acting frantically out of fear.

Other commentary surmises that Reeva took the phone with her into the bathroom perhaps screaming that she was going to call the police if OP did not stop threatening her which explains the phone in the cubicle, and also most likely escalated OP's anger as he wouldn't want the police called, his reputation sullied, etc.  Assuming an argument took place that evening seems more evident when I read this morning that Reeva had a bag packed that night like she was ready to leave.

This prosecutor is good!  He is very quick and has a grasp on the details.  I also love how he kind of jumps around like Juan Martinez in his questioning so that OP is always off guard and not knowing what to expect next, hence his emotional outbursts.

What a trial.  Hopefully justice for Reeva.

Oscar Pistorius May Have Stumbled With His Testimony, Experts Say

PRETORIA, South Africa April 1,5 2014

By LIEZL THOM via GOOD MORNING AMERICA


ABC US News | ABC Business News

Oscar Pistorius' testimony may have tripped up his defense, legal experts told ABC News today after the Blade Runner finished seven days on the witness stand, including five rough days of cross examination.

Several defense lawyers said that all of Pistorius' tears and emotional breakdowns on the stand will not overcome doubts in his story raised by prosecutor Gerrie Nel.

~Snipped~

"His demeanor and antics .. did him more harm than good," said attorney Anton Smith. "It seemed at stages, as Nel stated, that Oscar Pistorius might have tailored his evidence during cross-examination. Also, during cross by Nel, a lot of questions were either left unanswered or evaded by Pistorius."

Lawyer Henk Louw agreed that Pistorius' demeanor and the discrepancies between his testimony in recent days and his bail application affidavit last year and his plea explanation at the start of the trial could count against him as "these factors all contribute to a credibility finding. The credibility of a witness, together with the evidence before the court, all play a role when the judge comes to a conclusion."

Read more:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-stumbled-testimony-experts/story?id=23332614&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Oscar Pistorius trial: athlete's sole aim was to kill, court told (Video)

April 16, 2014 - 5:12AM

Lisa Davies

~Snipped~

Pistorius had, the prosecutor accused on Day 23 of his murder trial, armed himself “with the sole purpose” of shooting his girlfriend dead in an argument, alleging he had been so overcome by emotion because he had “intended to kill her”.

Read more:

http://www.smh.com.au/world/oscar-pistorius-trial-athletes-sole-aim-was-to-kill-court-told-20140415-zqv6r.html#ixzz2z0cbyPiS

Oscar Pistorius Trial: Tuesday 15 April 2014, Session 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQBha2ZCAjU




Oscar Pistorius Trial: Tuesday 15 April 2014, Session 2

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




Oscar Pistorius Trial: Tuesday 15 April 2014, Session 3

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




Oscar Pistorius Trial: Tuesday 15 April 2014, Session 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfzWgPWgZl8

Nel determined to get the truth from Pistorius: Patricia Visagie reports

Published on Apr 15, 2014
State Prosecutor Gerrie Nel has wrapped-up his cross examination of murder accused Oscar Pistorius. Nel ended with a stark summary of the case, insisting the paralympian murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp deliberately following an argument.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djyUCm4T9o4

Constitutionally Speaking

This blog deals with political and social issues in South Africa, mostly from the perspective of Constitutional Law. Written by Pierre de Vos


Oscar’s ‘involuntary action’: Thin ice, Mr Pistorius

Apr 15th, 2014 by Pierre De Vos.

Gerrie Nel this week accused Oscar Pistorius of changing his legal defence from “putative self-defence” to one of “involuntary action”. This was because Pistorius seemed to suggest that he could not remember pulling the trigger of his gun and pumping four shots into his toilet door. Instead he suggested that the discharge of his firearm was an accident or, at the very least, that his conduct was not under the control of his mind.

Until his testimony and cross-examination, Oscar Pistorius’ defence was that he mistakenly thought his life was in danger and (wrongly) believed that he was entitled to act in self-defence when he pumped four bullets through his toilet door at Reeva Steenkamp. This is a valid defence. If successful, it negates the intention of the accused to commit an unlawful act.

Yet under cross-examination Pistorius seemed to suggest that the gun had gone off in his hands, but that he had nothing to do with it. This defence – if it was indeed the defence offered by Pistorius – is not easy to sustain. However, if it is sustained, the accused is acquitted of all charges. This is so because it is a trite principle of our law that a voluntary act is an essential element of criminal responsibility.

Read more:

http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/oscars-involuntary-action-thin-ice-mr-pistorius/

Prosecutor wraps up grueling cross-examination of Oscar Pistorius

By Robyn Dixon
April 15, 2014, 1:22 p.m.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Hours before South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius fatally shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, she wrote him a  Valentine’s Day card with the words, “I think today is a good day to tell you that I love you,” a court heard Tuesday.

The envelope was addressed to “Ozzie” with hearts and a squiggle on it, and the card’s message was accompanied by a smiley face, hearts and kisses.

~Snipped~

The introduction of the card appeared to be an effort to undermine the prosecution’s contention that the couple had argued on the night of the killing and that Steenkamp sometimes feared the athlete.

Legal experts said Pistorius’ performance under cross-examination may have weakened his case, but noted that his defense team still has the bulk of its evidence to present, with up to 16 witnesses to be called.

Analysts have said that by insisting he did not intend to kill Steenkamp and acted unconsciously, Pistorius may have compromised his ability to claim that he acted in self defense, as it would require intent to fire at an imagined intruder.

Read more:

http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-oscar-pistorius-murder-trial-20140415,0,7307870.story#ixzz2z0nmkv9Q

Oscar Pistorius: I didn't consciously pull the trigger
 
By Holly Yan and Emily Smith, CNN
updated 12:24 PM EDT, Tue April 15, 2014

Video at link:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/15/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/index.html

Posted on Tuesday, 04.15.14

IN MY OPINION

Linda Robertson: In South Africa courtroom, Oscar Pistorius treated like anyone else

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/04/15/4061994/linda-robertson-in-south-africa.html#storylink=cpy

Oscar made textbook mistakes - experts

2014-04-15 22:19

~Snipped~

Initially, Pistorius had said he believed he was under attack by an intruder when he fired four shots at the toilet door. That strategy sought protection for the use of deadly force under the principle of self-defence.

But in his cross-examination, the 27-year-old athlete changed his testimony to say he fired the shots at the door accidentally.

An accident is an entirely different defence, suggesting involuntariness.

Pistorius has also suggested he was not thinking rationally when he fired his 9mm pistol at a toilet door behind which was his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. He said he "didn't have time to think".

His testimony went downhill the moment he took the stand, said Martin Hood, a Johannesburg-based criminal lawyer.

"He went into a dangerous situation with his firearm, safety disengaged, and he proceeded down the passage in what he described as a tactical manner," said Hood. "So all of his decisions were conscious, intentional decisions."

Read more:

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Oscar_Pistorius/Oscar-made-textbook-mistakes-experts-20140415

Expert: Pistorius's bedroom pitch black

PRETORIA - A forensic geologist on Tuesday testified that it was probably pitch black in the bedroom when Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

~Snipped~

He said it was a moonless morning on the night Pistorius shot and killed the Port Elizabeth model.

Dixon further confirmed the light bulb in the toilet was not functioning, which contradicted earlier testimony given by a state witness.

"The bulb in the toilet itself was not functional."                                                                              

He said both the lights to the bathroom and toilet are controlled from outside the room.

Dixon also presented new photographs to the Pretoria court, which he said was a replication of what the conditions may have been like on the morning of the deadly shooting.

Roux confirmed Dixon conducted light tests at the ‘Blade Runner’s’ Silver Woods Country Estate home.

Read more:

http://ewn.co.za/2014/04/15/Expert-Oscar-Pistorius-bedroom-pitch-black?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Comment:
Some time ago, I read the statements OP had included in his Bail Application. (I don't have the link handy but I believe it was listed here at RC.) I was appalled, (surprised, stunned or something along that line) when I read OP's words. He made it sound as if he and Reeva were not just a couple but had set up house keeping together in his home! It was only by reading comments by others, (Gina, for one) did I realize OP was overstating the relationship he shared with Reeva. They barely knew each other!!! He acted as if she was a permanent fixture in his home and they were just a regular couple that evening--- she busy doing her yoga prior to bed, etc..


Last session, one of the judge's associates asked OP if Reeva had access to the alarm system. OP stated Reeva had a remote! Oddly, NO remote was found near her body!!!! From what I understand, for Reeva to have gone downstairs the alarm would have had to be turned off; there was an upstair's alarm system for outside OP's door.... IMO, this is why advocate Nel was pushing OP re OP's failure to determine if Reeva had left the bedroom and OP failing to OPEN THE DOOR TO CHECK. Had OP opened the door to check, etc., the alarm would have gone off unless OP had deactivated it... we know Reeva did NOT deactivate it as she was killed in the bathroom.

Oscar Pistorius Witness' Credentials Challenged in Latest Blow

PRETORIA, South Africa April 16, 2014

By LIEZL THOM


ABC US News | ABC Business News

Oscar Pistorius' defense appeared to have suffered a blow today when a forensic witness who contradicted the prosecution's version of the shooting of Reeva Steenkamp was challenged on his credentials as an expert in forensics and other elements of his testimony.

The witness, Roger Dixon, was forced to admit under questioning by prosecutor Gerrie Nel that he was not an expert in forensics, pathology, ballistics, blood spatter, or sound and optics.

Read more:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-witness-credentials-challenged-latest-blow/story?id=23343774

Oscar Pistorius Trial: Wednesday 16 April 2014, Session 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry7H9rQ72yE




Oscar Pistorius Trial: Wednesday 16 April 2014, Session 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0au-vUKrE4




Oscar Pistorius Trial: Wednesday 16 April 2014, Session 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djSi0LbzhUA

Dixon hammered on his qualifications: Patricia Visage reports

Published on Apr 16, 2014  
The North Gauteng High Court has heard that the bullet casing found in the toilet bowl, next to Reeva Steenkamp, could not have been from the one that struck her in the head. Forensic geologist, Roger Dixon, again took the stand in the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius. During cross examination, Dixon was hammered on his qualifications.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_mYlECgjm4

Oscar Pistorius: prosecution attacks forensic expert evidence (Video)

The prosecution in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial sharply question the credentials and findings of a forensic expert for the paralympic athelete's defence

7:07PM BST 16 Apr 2014

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel questioned forensic geologist Roger Dixon's role in audio test involving the sounds of gunshots and a bat that was played by Oscar Pistorius' defence lawyers during Dixon's testimony.

On questioning by Nel, Dixon conceded the tests had to be done a second time because of problems with the first test, and they were recorded by a music producer who had no experience in recording gunshots.

Earlier, Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled that proceedings will adjourn for more than two weeks after Thursday and resume again on May 5.

Read more:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/10771177/Oscar-Pistorius-prosecution-attacks-forensic-expert-evidence.html

Oscar Pistorius trial: Judge Sets 2-Week Adjournment

AP  | by  By GERALD IMRAY  
 
Posted:  04/16/2014 7:32 am EDT    
Updated:  04/16/2014 2:59 pm EDT

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Oscar Pistorius' lawyers tried to roll back the prosecution's momentum at his murder trial Wednesday following the star athlete's shaky testimony, presenting a forensic expert who quickly found his own credentials and findings sharply questioned.

With Pistorius now back watching the proceedings from a wooden bench, the double-amputee Olympian's defense team was attempting to bolster his account that he shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by mistake through a toilet door in his home, thinking she was a dangerous intruder about to attack him in the night. Pistorius faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year.

But former police officer Roger Dixon, testifying for the defense, also appeared unsteady as chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel warned him that it was irresponsible to "try and be an expert" in areas he was not. Nel asserted in his cross-examination that Dixon was not an expert in light, sound, ballistics, gunshot wounds or pathology — all areas about which he was testifying.

~Snipped~

Earlier, the judge ruled that proceedings will adjourn for more than two weeks after Thursday because a member of the prosecution team has another case to attend to. The trial will resume on May 5.

Read more:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/16/pistorius-trial-judge-adjournment_n_5157748.html?utm_hp_ref=crime&ir=Crime

Lisa Bloom: Prosecutor had Pistorius 'by the jugular'

http://xfinity.comcast.net/video/lisa-bloom-prosecutor-had-pistorius-by-the-jugular/228271171950/fanNews/newest/?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_campaign=hootsuite

Alessandra_Deux wrote:

Dixon hammered on his qualifications: Patricia Visage reports

Published on Apr 16, 2014  
The North Gauteng High Court has heard that the bullet casing found in the toilet bowl, next to Reeva Steenkamp, could not have been from the one that struck her in the head. Forensic geologist, Roger Dixon, again took the stand in the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius. During cross examination, Dixon was hammered on his qualifications.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_mYlECgjm4

Very confused here…. how did the CASING end up in the toilet.. the casing is the part of the bullet that is ejected from the gun/pistol after it has been shot?? did someone pick it up and put it into the toilet or was the pistol shot where the casing could go into the toilet when it was expelled to take the next shot?? the bullet I could see in the toilet if it was a through and through… but the casing?

@JAO:

I believe what was found inside the toilet bowl was a bullet or a bullet fragment, not the bullet casing. I think that is a misprint.

Oscar Pistorius trial: Defense witness contradicts athlete's version of events
 
By Emily Smith and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN
April 17, 2014 -- Updated 1251 GMT (2051 HKT)

(CNN) -- Prosecutor Gerrie Nel went on the attack again Thursday, trying to discredit a defense witness for Oscar Pistorius on the last day of testimony before the court takes a two-and-a-half week break

~Snipped~

One key line of questioning dealt with the position of a magazine rack within the toilet room where she was shot.

Under pressure from Nel, Dixon directly contradicted Pistorius' version of where he saw the magazine rack when he entered the toilet room after shooting Steenkamp.

In his own testimony, Pistorius said that when Steenkamp was slumped over the toilet bowl, she wasn't on top of the magazine rack. He said it was off to the side. Nel then showed him a photo of the toilet with the magazine rack standing in a pool of blood -- and Pistorius said it must have been placed there.

Dixon directly contradicted this in his testimony Thursday, saying the rack was moved after it was in the pool of blood.

The question is important in part because Pistorius contends that police contaminated the crime scene by moving certain key items, including the magazine rack.

Read more:

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/17/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/index.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fedition_africa+%28RSS%3A+Africa%29

"Bullet ricochet

Nel's aim in the murder trial is to prove that Pistorius intentionally shot and killed Steenkamp after a heated argument in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year.

The defense team is seeking to cast doubt on that account and prove that the star sprinter shot his girlfriend through the closed toilet door after mistaking her for an intruder.

In his testimony Wednesday, Dixon disputed a conclusion by a pathologist on the cause of Steenkamp's back wounds.

The pathologist said they were made by a bullet ricochet, while Dixon said they were made by the magazine rack. The autopsy said they were made by a blunt, hard object."

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/17/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/index.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fedition_africa+%28RSS%3A+Africa%29

Oscar Pistorius trial: The case against Oscar Pistorius – and why the prosecution claims his story doesn't add up



TOM PECK   Thursday 17 April 2014

As the Oscar Pistorius murder trial begins an adjournment until 5 May, we look at the key evidence presented by Pistorius and the prosecution so far  – and how the different versions of events don't add up.

When did they last eat?
Pistorius says: Reeva cooked chicken strips and a vegetable stir-fry, and they ate at 7pm
The prosecution says: Vegetable matter found in Reeva’s stomach very strongly indicates she ate within two hours of death. And she is unlikely to have gone downstairs and eaten in the middle of the night, as it would have required unlocking the bedroom door, and deactivating the downstairs alarm.

When did the pair go to bed?
Pistorius says: The pair went to bed at between 9 and 10pm.
The prosecution says: The contents of Reeva's stomach suggest she ate around 1am, which was when a neighbour Estelle Van der Merwe says she heard arguments.

Who was awake – and when?
Pistorius says: He spoke to Reeva at around 3am, that she said to him: "What’s wrong, baba? Can’t you sleep?" And he replied, "not tonight".
The prosecution says: Why was this detail not made clear at the bail application, when he seemed to suggest he didn’t know if Reeva was asleep or awake.



What about the fans on the balcony?
Pistorius says: He went to the balcony to ‘bring in two fans’
The prosecution says: Why was there only one fan mentioned at the bail application a year ago, and why is he no longer claiming he went fully on to the balcony, and is now saying only part of one the fans was outside the balcony doors.

Read more:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial-what-pistorius-claims-what-the-prosecution-claims--and-how-the-two-different-versions-dont-add-up-9263835.html

Top pathologist hired by Pistorius won't testify

By Stephanie Findlay | AFP – 18 minutes ago

A star pathologist hired by Oscar Pistorius told AFP on Thursday he will not testify at the athlete's murder trial, another blow for his defence after a week of savage cross-examination.

Private forensic pathologist Reggie Perumal -- who joined Pistorius's hand-picked team soon after Reeva Steenkamp was killed on Valentine's Day morning 2013 -- will not take the stand, amid suggestions his post-mortem findings support key parts of the prosecution's case.

Perumal has appeared in many high-profile cases in South Africa, where a private pathologist can cost upwards of $2,000 a day.

He was hired by Pistorius in time to attend the model's autopsy.

When asked if he would testify, the Durban-based pathologist told AFP "no, ma'am."

"I think you're aware that I can't say anything right now."

~Snipped~

Perumal's unusual decision not to testify has attracted the attention of his fellow forensic pathologists.

"I have heard that it might be because he refused to amend his version," said Steve Naidoo, a Durban-based private forensic pathologist. "If so, and if Dr Perumal is not willing to twist the truth, then it's to his tremendous credit."

Read more:

https://za.news.yahoo.com/top-pathologist-hired-pistorius-wont-testify-142633899.html

Pictured: New image from inside the toilet where Oscar Pistorius shot Reeva Steenkamp to death
 
By Richard Hartley-Parkinson
Apr 17, 2014 13:36
 
The graphic image was shown to the court today to prove that the athlete's recollection of events was wrong

Read more:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/oscar-pistorius-trial-inside-toilet-3424006#ixzz2z9i7DAqd

Oscar Pistorius Trial: Thursday 17 April 2014, Session 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrmgR7ecK7w




Oscar Pistorius Trial: Thursday 17 April 2014, Session 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlUQPyZ3xz8

Alessandra_Deux wrote:Oscar Pistorius trial: Defense witness contradicts athlete's version of events
 
By Emily Smith and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN
April 17, 2014 -- Updated 1251 GMT (2051 HKT)

(CNN) -- Prosecutor Gerrie Nel went on the attack again Thursday, trying to discredit a defense witness for Oscar Pistorius on the last day of testimony before the court takes a two-and-a-half week break

~Snipped~

One key line of questioning dealt with the position of a magazine rack within the toilet room where she was shot.

Under pressure from Nel, Dixon directly contradicted Pistorius' version of where he saw the magazine rack when he entered the toilet room after shooting Steenkamp.

In his own testimony, Pistorius said that when Steenkamp was slumped over the toilet bowl, she wasn't on top of the magazine rack. He said it was off to the side. Nel then showed him a photo of the toilet with the magazine rack standing in a pool of blood -- and Pistorius said it must have been placed there.

Dixon directly contradicted this in his testimony Thursday, saying the rack was moved after it was in the pool of blood.

The question is important in part because Pistorius contends that police contaminated the crime scene by moving certain key items, including the magazine rack.

Read more:

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/17/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/index.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fedition_africa+%28RSS%3A+Africa%29

Colored by me.
I have two problems with the moving of the magazine rack:
1. IF the rack had been moved /evidence tampered with, would it not have left a "new" bloody "footprint" of the leg of the rack in another area of the toilet?

2. Nowhere has "expert witness" (snicker-snicker) produced ANY hard core measurements!
He has failed to document and share the evidence with the court at large.
He appears to be "winging" it as a layman.... not crediting the evidence but only giving his "professional opinion" on way too much evidence. Did he measure the legs of the magazine rack to ascertain the dimensions and THEN compare said dimensions to the white/vacant spot in the blood pool? No. He did not present that evidence.

For a scientist of any scientific field to fail to note measurements, time of day, weather conditions, humidity, tools used,persons present, etc., is simply incomprehensible. It is such sloppy work I can NOT state he is an expert in ANY scientific field!!! I was disgusted with his testimony. He appears to be seeking media attention only.
  

Been saving some in my email and will be sharing a bunch.
Here is the first, a twitter commentary on court yesterday.
The judge, again, admonished the court re proper decorum:

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AlexCrawfordSky


" ... Alex Crawford ‏@AlexCrawfordSky 21m

#oscartrial Judge says; 'They cheer, they boo, they climb over
benches...it is an extension of THIS court. It is not a picnic
nest......"

2. Charges against state advocate Gerrie Nel are dropped:

Fact Finder Lezil • an hour ago

Are you aware that the SAHRC has already ruled on the matter!

Below is the extract directly from their website:
"MEDIA STATEMENT
15th April 2014
Attention Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has rejected the
complaint filed against the State Prosecutor in the Oscar Pistorius
trial currently underway in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

The complaint, which was lodged on Friday last week, asked the SAHRC
to investigate and rule on whether the State Prosecutor Adv, Gerrie
Nel was permitted to refer to the accused Oscar Pistorius, as “a liar”
while he was still on the witness stand.

The complainant believed the statement might have infringed Pistorius’
rights to be presumed innocent until proven guilty;
freedom of expression; and human dignity, generally impacting on his
right to a fair trial as contained in the Bill of Rights.

The Complaint to the SAHRC has since triggered a number of other
complaints to the Commission relating to the trial of Mr. Pistorius.

The SAHRC considered the complaint within the context of basic fair
trial rights protected in the Constitution. However on a close
assessment of the facts of the matter, international jurisprudence,
the Bar Council Rules, its own jurisdiction, and authority of the
court, the complaint was rejected.

\
The SAHRC believes, that while there could be substance to complaints
of this nature, the facts informing a particular
complaint are material to its assessment. In this regard the SAHRC
noted that the court had duly exercised its authority in the course of
ongoing proceedings before it. It noted further that the witness was
represented and that a right of recourse was available through the
courts to take steps with regard to the proceedings should this be
appropriate.

The SAHRC powers in such matters are informed by statute which does
not allow it to investigate matters being heard before other judicial
tribunals and forums, including courts of law, unless the matter
concerns process. In this respect the SAHRC has satisfied itself that
the authority of the court was appropriately engaged to ensure
sanctity of process.
It is was noted further that the court in which the violation is said
to have occurred is still in session and the SAHRC remains mindful and
respectful of the authority of the court and its ruling in the matter.

The SAHRC has also taken into account that applicable court procedures
and rules aimed at protecting the rights of persons during the trial
process are also in place. This includes in the first instance, the
protections which are afforded to witnesses through their legal
representative and the court itself during court proceedings and
secondly, the recourse available through the institution of review and
/ or appeal proceedings, where circumstances warrant such action.

For these reasons, the SAHRC is satisfied that adequate protections
are in place at the level of process and specifically for
the witness and has decided not to pursue this matter further. The
SAHRC however, urges members of the public to remain respectful of the
authority of the court, the rights of commentators to expression, and
the need to limit undue circulation of graphic material presented in
court out of respect to the decedent and her family.

ENDS

Issued by the SA Human Rights Commission"

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

3. Alex Crawford twitter acct, April 16, 2014:

Alex Crawford ‏@AlexCrawfordSky 5m
#oscartrial Roger Dixon confirms to reporters during break that he has
both facebook and twitter accounts and he's been getting hate mail

Alex Crawford ‏@AlexCrawfordSky 25m
#oscartrial And tea break is called for. Will Roger Dixon pause to tweet?

https://twitter.com/AlexCrawfordSky


Alex Crawford ‏@AlexCrawfordSky 5m
#oscartrial On his facebook account Dixon commented on Nel's
questioning of his credibility to certain facebook 'friends'

Alex Crawford ‏@AlexCrawfordSky 6m
#oscartrial Dixon has retweeted SA journalists includ @karynmaughan so
has been following trial

Alex Crawford ‏@AlexCrawfordSky 26m
#oscartrial Roger Dixon appears to have twitter account where he has
been following trial

Alex Crawford ‏@AlexCrawfordSky 32m
#oscartrial Dixon says he was unaware that the balcony light was on
that night. But it was v light when he did test anyway (about 9pm)

Alex Crawford ‏@AlexCrawfordSky 35m
#oscartrial Dixon says he doesnt have a tv, doesnt read papers. 'I
dont like to be influenced by external factors so dont know state case

4. Witness Dixon and his acct: Picture of statements he made

https://twitter.com/JacqueSteenkamp/status/456687935392202753/photo/1

5. Lisa Bloom comments on trial of OP:

http://nakedlaw.avvo.com/crime/fearing-fear-itself-oscar-pistorius-defense.html?utm_source=Outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=nakedlaw

AD:
Could Permuel be called as a state witness?

I would like to know the temperature of the early morning.
OP stated his AC was not working, hence the fans in the doorway of the balcony of bedroom.

Why would he bring in the fans and shut the doors if it was so hot?
Apparently, it was still hot as he left the fans running in the bedroom AFTER shutting the balcony door and leaving bedroom door shut.
Make sense to shut it all up and leave the fans on?

IMO, the bathroom window was left open earlier in the evening to help cool the home and assist in creating a breeze from balcony to hall to bathroom.... Hot air rises and the bedroom/bath areas may have been very hot. Perhaps this is the reason Reeva and OP were awake so early in the morning????Dunno.....

LAW

Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial: Five Key Questions

The Oscar Pistorius murder trial in South Africa is presenting two competing narratives to the judge. What are the key areas of dispute between the defense and prosecution in the case? WSJ's Jason Bellini has #TheShortAnswer

4/17/2014 11:36:11 AM3:45

http://live.wsj.com/video/oscar-pistorius-murder-trial-five-key-questions/4CDE236B-60BB-43B1-9B23-C252379300C6.html#!4CDE236B-60BB-43B1-9B23-C252379300C6

Freckles wrote:AD:
Could Permuel be called as a state witness?

I don't believe that it is possible.

Oscar Pistorius trial: athlete's blame-shifting a recurring theme for prosecutor

April 18, 2014 - 12:19PM

Lisa Davies

http://news24h.allnews24h.com/mAq

Karyn Maughan ‏@karynmaughan  · 13h  
#OscarPistorius legal team slam suggestions that ballistics expert Wollie Wolmarans has withdrawn as "malicious and misleading" @eNCAnews

Karyn Maughan ‏@karynmaughan  · 13h  
#OscarPistorius legal team say Perumal wasn't called as expert witness because he was not available to testify @eNCAnews

Karyn Maughan ‏@karynmaughan  · 13h  
#OscarPistorius team: Dr Perumal "remains a member of the Defence Team and continues to assist in his capacity as an expert consultant."

Karyn Maughan ‏@karynmaughan  · 13h  
#OscarPistorius legal team say reports that Dr Reggie Perumal has "withdrawn" are "devoid of truth" @eNCAnews

Karyn Maughan ‏@karynmaughan · 13h
#OscarPistorius legal team issue statement denying that defence pathologist declined to testify in case @eNCAnews

More ...

https://twitter.com/karynmaughan

OP acting in court?

Pistorius branded a 'faux hero' as he is accused of taking ACTING LESSONS to help convince judge of his innocence

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2608799/Pistorius-branded-faux-hero-accused-taking-acting-lessons-help-fake-court-room-performance.html#ixzz2zQeo7lJy
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2608799/Pistorius-branded-faux-hero-accused-taking-acting-lessons-help-fake-court-room-performance.html

Tragedy: Model Reeva Steenkamp

Oscar Pistorius 'had ACTING lessons' before trial for murder of Reeva Steenkamp

Apr 19, 2014 22:00  By Pamela Owen

Read more:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/oscar-pistorius-trial-paralympic-star-3434141

In Pistorius Trial, Critics See a Justice System Favoring the Rich and Famous

By ALAN COWELL APRIL 18, 2014



Oscar Pistorius at his murder trial on Thursday in Pretoria, South Africa. He was granted bail last year on lenient conditions. 
Themba Hadebe/European Pressphoto Agency

Read more:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/19/world/africa/in-pistorius-trial-critics-see-a-justice-system-favoring-the-rich-and-famous.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

LETTER TO OSCAR …

April 14, 2014
by Jani Allan

http://janiallan.com/2014/04/14/letter-oscar/

RELATED ARTICLES:

Oscar’s ‘involuntary action’: Thin ice, Mr Pistorius

PIERRE DE VOS  | 15 Apr 2014 06:52 (South Africa)

Gerrie Nel this week accused Oscar Pistorius of changing his legal defence from “putative self-defence” to one of “involuntary action”. This was because Pistorius seemed to suggest that he could not remember pulling the trigger of his gun and pumping four shots into his toilet door. Instead he suggested that the discharge of his firearm was an accident or, at the very least, that his conduct was not under the control of his mind. By PIERRE DE VOS.

Until his testimony and cross-examination, Oscar Pistorius’ defence was that he mistakenly thought his life was in danger and (wrongly) believed that he was entitled to act in self-defence when he pumped four bullets through his toilet door at Reeva Steenkamp. This is a valid defence. If successful, it negates the intention of the accused to commit an unlawful act.

Yet under cross-examination Pistorius seemed to suggest that the gun had gone off in his hands, but that he had nothing to do with it. This defence – if it was indeed the defence offered by Pistorius – is not easy to sustain. However, if it is sustained, the accused is acquitted of all charges. This is so because it is a trite principle of our law that a voluntary act is an essential element of criminal responsibility.

A similar defence was recently offered by Mr Jacob Humphreys in his murder trial. However this defence was rejected by the High Court as well as the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).

Read more:

http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-15-oscars-involuntary-action-thin-ice-mr-pistorius/

Oscar Pistorius Denies He Took Acting Lessons Before Trial

PRETORIA, South Africa April 21, 2014

By EMILY STANITZ via GOOD MORNING AMERICA

Oscar Pistorius, who has cried, wailed and vomited through his murder trial for the shooting death of his girlfriend, denied an allegation today that he was tutored by an acting coach before the trial began.

The "suggestion that Mr. Pistorius “took acting lessons” is totally devoid of any truth," said a statement released by Anneliese Burgess, identified as the media manager for the Pistorius family. The statement went on to "further deny that our client has undergone any 'acting lessons' or any form of emotional coaching."

"This type of comment makes a mockery of the enormous human tragedy involving the Steenkamp family and our client and his family," Burgess said.

Read more:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-denies-acting-lessons-trial/story?id=23411107

Passing along a site shared with me.
I asked a shooter how much a 9mm would pull up
IF it was held at
a) braced, straight out;
b) at the 45 degree angles OP said he held the gun at.

Also, IF the gun was held at a 45 degree angle,
could the shooter hit a target in close proximity firing rapidly ?
No double taps.
The answer was no; after the first shot, even an experienced shooter
would find a second shot would probably hit the ceiling as the gun would pull up.

Here is a video to show the muzzle reaction.
Also, observe the slide ejects the spent (hot) casing to the RIGHT.
(This was mentioned in the Jodi Arias trial.)



Added:
Not sure what it means to "bump fire" a gun but I watched these videos to see how much the barrel would jump after being fired. The second vid: At @ 1:00, observe the shooters forearm and his bicep muscle jump as he pulls the trigger. He has well developed arms.

Freckles wrote:Passing along a site shared with me.
I asked a shooter how much a 9mm would pull up
IF it was held at
a) braced, straight out;
b) at the 45 degree angles OP said he held the gun at.

Also, IF the gun was held at a 45 degree angle,
could the shooter hit a target in close proximity firing rapidly ?
No double taps.
The answer was no; after the first shot, even an experienced shooter
would find a second shot would probably hit the ceiling as the gun would pull up.

Here is a video to show the muzzle reaction.
Also, observe the slide ejects the spent (hot) casing to the RIGHT.
(This was mentioned in the Jodi Arias trial.)



Added:
Not sure what it means to "bump fire" a gun but I watched these videos to see how much the barrel would jump after being fired. The second vid: At @ 1:00, observe the shooters forearm and his bicep muscle jump as he pulls the trigger. He has well developed arms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=tHYZp8UEEzg

great website for pics on the effects bullets have on different media!

http://www.lex-augusteijn.nl/Gallery/High%20speed/Bullets/slides/IMG_0542-enh4.html

Pistorius trial: What's ahead

By GERALD IMRAY
Associated Press

May 4, 11:36 AM EDT

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) -- Oscar Pistorius' chief defense lawyer predicted that he would wrap up his case by the middle of May, giving the double-amputee athlete about two more weeks to show a judge that his story that he killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by mistake is reasonable and possible - the test the defense must pass.

~Snipped~

SHAKY START

Pistorius' cross-examination by chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel appeared to expose holes in his account that he didn't know it was Steenkamp behind a toilet door when he shot four times. Nel questioned Pistorius on details from the night and inconsistencies emerged in his story. For instance, in his initial court statement last year Pistorius said that he brought one fan in from his bedroom balcony in the middle of the night before he heard a noise that made him believe there was an intruder in the bathroom. In his testimony Pistorius said there were two fans. Pistorius also never mentioned in his first affidavit that he spoke to Steenkamp before getting out of bed to bring the fans in, which he now says he did.

Read more:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AF_PISTORIUS_TRIAL_GLANCE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-05-04-11-36-07

SUNDAY, 04 MAY 15:49 CAT

Expert testimony to lead Pistorius trial

Barry Bateman | 3 days ago

PRETORIA - Expert testimony related to forensics, Oscar Pistorius’s voice and his vulnerability as a disabled person is expected to be led in the athlete's murder trial from next week.

The trial adjourned two weeks ago to allow the legal teams an opportunity to attend to other cases which they have put on hold.

Defence advocate Barry Roux has told several state witnesses that he will call an expert witness to testify that the athlete’s screams sound like a woman when he is anxious.

Pistorius also described during his testimony being made to scream while he was emotional.

This is to prove that the screams neighbours heard on the night he killed Reeva Steenkamp were in fact his and not his girlfriend's.

A psychologist is also expected to be called to deal with Pistorius's issues of vulnerability.

Read more:

http://ewn.co.za/2014/05/02/expert-testimony-to-lead-pistorius-trial

Pistorius defense enters critical phase at trial

By GERALD IMRAY — May. 4, 2014 9:36 AM EDT

Read more:

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/pistorius-defense-enters-critical-phase-trial