Tag Archives: trial

Blade Runner Trial Update

On Monday the prosecutor confronted Pistorius about his emotional outbursts implying that it was contrived. This is from the article I will link below:

“Nel also accused Pistorius, who has wept repeatedly throughout the trial, of turning on the waterworks to gain sympathy and avoid answering tough questions.

‘Mr. Pistorius, you are trying to get emotional again,’ Nel said.”

He also said that the story Pistorius was giving was tailored to his benefit and not even probable:

“ ‘Your version is so improbable that it cannot possibly be true,’ ” he (Nel) said.”

An interesting fact I heard for the first time is that Reeva’s jeans were laid out on the bed as if she were getting ready to leave. Oscar said they were inside out as she had taken them off. Also Pistorius also had to admit that he did not check to see if Reeva was in the bed as he claimed before. Overall a very strong day for the prosecution.

Tuesday, after five brutal days being grilled by prosecutor Gerrie Nel, Pistorius finally got some relief. His attorney took over and asked him why he called this an “accident.” He said “I mean the situation, and the situation as a whole, it wasn’t meant to be.”
The defense then called forensic geologist Roger Dixson to the stand. He went into the lighting conditions in the rooms that night.
 
 
Wednesday continued with Dixon who disagreed with the cause of Reeva’s back wounds. He said they were from a magazine rack and not a bullet ricochet. Nel (prosecution) bit into Dixon by implying he was not an expert in ballistics:  “Nel took every opportunity to discredit Dixon, including questioning his ballistics evidence when he said none of the bullets missed Steenkamp, while the state expert had said one did.

‘You see how irresponsible it is to make inferences in areas where you’re not an expert?’ Nel told him.”

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/16/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/

Blade Runner vs. Pit Bull

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel (also known as “The Bulldog”) took on Pistorius and his story starting at the end of the day Tuesday and continuing last Wednesday. Pistorius had a difficult time keeping his story straight. He also referred to the shooting as “a mistake”, prompting Nel to say “You made a mistake? You killed a person. You killed Reeva Steenkamp, that’s what you did,” Nel said. “You killed her. Won’t you take responsibility for that?” Later Nel showed a picture of the devastating head injury to Reeva and Pistorius began crying forcing another adjournment. For more on Wednesday’s testimony here’s the link: 

http://www.latimes.com/world/africa/la-fg-pistorius-trial-20140410,0,6497378.story#ixzz2ypaLs25m

On Friday Nel said that Reeva was standing behind the toilet door because they were still arguing right before he shot her. Pistorius responded with “That’s not true.” After Pistorius gave his account of what happened the night Reeva was killed Nel questioned why he did not check on Reeva before the shooting. He also pointed out that if Pistorius felt so vulnerable on his stumps (as he has claimed throughout the trial) then why did he approach the door where he felt an intruder was hiding? For more:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2014/04/11/oscar-pistorius-trial-prosecutor/7585611/

 

 

Blade Runner Takes the Stand

Oscar Pistorius took the stand yesterday and used the opportunity to show how sorry he was for killing Reeva Steenkamp. He claims he was trying to protect her. Reeva’s mom didn’t buy it. He also said that he has nightmares and is taking anti-depressants and sleeping pills. Pistorius described several incidents that he claims have resulted in him living in fear and feeling vulnerable. He finished Monday’s testimony by saying that he was happy that Reeva was a Christian and that “my God’s a God of refuge.”

Also on the stand Monday was  the defense witness, Jan Botha. He disputed the prosecutor’s witness regarding Reeva’s stomach contents and the time of death.

Today Pistorius went over his version of that night, claiming he thought the person in the bathroom was an intruder. Earlier he said that he felt he was more into Reeva than she was into him. Pistorius broke down sobbing as he testified to Reeva not breathing and proceedings for the day ended.

Link for Monday: http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/pistorius-trial/pistorius-i-knew-it-id-fired-four-shots-door-n74446

Link for Tuesday: http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/08/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/?hpt=hp_t2

Blade Runner Trial – Day 16

Today the prosecution rested it’s case. The defense has said that Pistorius will take the stand. Barry Roux, defense lead attorney, asked that he have until Friday to prepare for his case. After yesterday’s damaging texts from Reeva the defense countered by presenting loving texts. Pistorius was in tears while these were read. Roux also showed video of the couple kissing and being playful days before the murder. Other witnesses expected for the defense include Pistorius’s sister and brother who arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting.

Link: http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-prosecution-rests-blade-runner-cries/story?id=23048031

Blade Runner Trial – Day 15

Interesting texts from Reeva were shown today- here are some parts:

1.  “I get snapped at and told my accents and my voice are annoying. i touch your neck to show u i care you tell me to stop. Stop chewing gum. do this don’t do that.”

2. “I’m scared of you sometimes and how you snap at me… I do everything to make u happy and to not say anything to rock the boat with u. you do everything to throw tantrums in front of people.”

3. “u are very quick to act cold and offish when you’re unhappy… every 5 seconds i hear how u dated another chick.”

4. “i am the girl who let go with u even when i was scared out of my mind to. i’m the girl who feel in love with u and wanted to tell u this weekend.”

Also today a neighbor agreed with previous testimony that she heard a female scream then a male and then 3 shots. The defense said it was not a female, but Pistorius screaming and the shots were actually the bat hitting the door. The witness stuck to her story. For more here’s the link:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-pistorius-made-girlfriend-scared-mind-text-claims/story?id=23032174

Blade Runner Trial – Day 14

The ballistics expert took the court through the series of bullets shot by Pistorius into the bathroom where Reeva was. He claimed that Reeva was standing when she was first hit in the right hip. She then fell back and was hit in the right arm and head as she tried to protect herself with her arms over her head. The fourth bullet that struck her in the head killed her. This means she would have screamed after the first non-fatal wounds. The defense disagrees but this is in alignment with the pathologist. Pistorius is expected to testify next week.

Link: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial-reeva-steenkamp-crossed-her-arms-above-her-head-to-protect-herself-from-bullets-fired-through-locked-toilet-door-9201601.html

Blade Runner Trial – Day 13

After testimony today the prosecutor, Gerrie Nel asked for the trial to be delayed until next week. Friday is a holiday in South Africa. There was testimony today from a ballistics expert who described how Reeva was standing in the bathroom when hit by the first bullets. He continued with how he felt the rest of the assault unfolded. As expected the defense badgered the officer but the officer stuck to his story. Pistorius put his fingers in his ears during this testimony.

Link: http://espn.go.com/olympics/trackandfield/story/_/id/10631711/expert-testifies-oscar-pistorius-girlfriend-was-standing-shot

Arias Re-Trial Date Set

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We finally have a date. It’s September. Yes, I said September! I was so floored by this I googled: “Jodi Arias” just to check other sources. And there it was. Are you f’n kidding me? How far can they possibly push this back? I thought this thing would be over by now. Six months from now? Why? They say jury selection will begin September 8th but I don’t believe anything they say anymore so don’t book a flight just yet.

Thanks to a Tweet from @WitchyTweets for the heads up or I would have missed this great news…

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/17/jodi-arias-penalty-phase_n_4980306.html

 

Blade Runner Trial – Day 12

On Tuesday the Captain of Police demonstrated how the bullets went through the bathroom door using lasers. Before he could compare the height of the entry holes with the height of Pistorius without his prosthetics they ran out of time. Most of today was spent with a police crime scene photographer. The defense caught him up when he pointed out there were two people shooting in the same room, after the photographer claimed he was alone. I don’t see this as a big win for the defense. The defense lawyer, Roux, also brought in a statement from another officer saying the blood evidence supports Pistorius’ version. For more here’s the link:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/18/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/