More scrutiny of neighbours’ evidence during Oscar trial

In his closing arguments, Barry Roux SC, told the court there was a “list of coincidences” in the statements and testimonies of Charl Johnson and his wife, Michelle Burger.

The couple lived in the complex next to Pistorius’s home.

They testified to hearing blood-curdling screams on the morning that Pistorius shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

“Mr Johnson said: ‘When my wife testified, she spoke about the jakkals at night’,” Roux told the court.

This was despite them saying they had not discussed the proceedings of the trial.

“He used her words when he was not supposed to,” said Roux.

He described the statements the couple gave to police as being “virtually identical”.

Roux also referred to the evidence of Anette Stipp and her husband, Dr Johan Stipp.

Anette Stipp had said that after the second sounds were heard her husband told her to get away from the window, said Roux.

The couple lived in the house adjacent to Pistorius’s.

She claimed that shortly after this screaming came from Pistorius’s house.

“This was highly unlikely,” said Roux.

He dismissed claims by Anette Stipp that sounds of arguing seemed to come from Pistorius’s home.

“If you read that evidence it can never justify any inference that the accused and the deceased were arguing,” said Roux.

He submitted that Pistorius was in love with Steenkamp, although they had their differences like any other couple.

Roux also referred to the testimony of Yvette van Schalkwyk, a government social worker, who claimed to have first met Pistorius shortly after he shot Steenkamp.

She had told the court she was disturbed by allegations that Pistorius was acting as he cried and appeared emotional during the trial.

“She said… ‘This man was genuine in his conduct. He was concerned about the deceased’s family. He was heartbroken… He was a man in mourning,” Roux told the court.

Pistorius is charged with murdering Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year.

He shot her through the locked door of his toilet at his Pretoria home.

Pistorius has denied guilt, saying he thought she was an intruder about to open the door and attack him. The State contends he shot her during an argument and it was premeditated.

Pistorius is also charged with three contraventions of the Firearms Control Act, one of illegal possession of ammunition and two of discharging a firearm in public. He has also pleaded not guilty to these charges.

– Sapa