Oscar retches during trial
Oscar Pistorius retched loudly in the dock as the cold details of tissue damage, bone fragments and lesions on his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp's body were explained to the High Court in Pretoria on Monday.
Oscar Pistorius is seen during his court appearance on Wednesday, 5 March 2014. The double amputee and Paralympian is appearing in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa. Pistorius is accused of the murder of model Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, 2013. Picture: Alon Skuy/Pool
“Mr Roux can you just attend to your client I am not sure what’s happening there,” said Judge Thokozile Masipa.
Pistorius had already been granted a short adjournment when he broke down as pathologist Professor Gert Saayman started going through the two and a half page pathology report on Steenkamp’s body after Pistorius shot her on February 14 2013.
.”….upper arm somewhat deformed due to associated fracture…” set off a bout of loud hunched retching.
“The wounds were caused by multiple small fragments. There was bruising in skin around the wounds, there was also bluish discolouration surrounding the wounds.”
Steenkamp was wearing grey Nike shorts and a black vest when shot. Pistorius pressed his hands on his ears.
Flipping through a file of photographs, Saayman described penetrating injuries and superficial abrasions in a brisk manner.
He had successfully asked that his evidence not be broadcast live for the dignity of Steenkamp’s family, or in case vulnerable people or children may hear or see it. He did not object to filtered or paraphrased reports such as those in the print media.
Masipa ordered that there be no live feed, Twitter, or blogging. The media’s lawyer said editors would agree on a package to use later.
Small tissue fragments were distributed over the front of the vest. Over her torso were scattered remnants of tissue and fragments of bone.
He spoke of splinters.
Steenkamp was shot in the toilet cubicle in a bathroom at Pistorius’s home in Pretoria. He said he later broke the door down with a cricket bat to free her.
Pistorius has been charged with the premeditated murder of Steenkamp and to charges of contravening the Firearms Act.
He contends that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder when he shot her, and has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
– Sapa
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