Pistorius sick as pathologist gives details of victim's injuries
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E-mail CNTV, March 11, 2014
The murder trial of paralympian Oscar Pistorius continues. Pistorius threw up in court on Monday, as a pathologist described details of the injuries sustained by his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The athlete shot dead Ms. Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year. He insists he mistook her for a burglar.
Only Oscar Pistorius can recall Reeva Steenkamp's final moments. In court on Monday, he was made to relive them. Not for the cameras, ruled judge Thokozile Masipa.
![Pistorius threw up in court on Monday, as a pathologist described details of the injuries sustained by his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. [sina.com]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20140311/00016c42b25a1488b22e53.jpg "Pistorius threw up in court on Monday, as a pathologist described details of the injuries sustained by his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. [sina.com]") |
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Pistorius threw up in court on Monday, as a pathologist described details of the injuries sustained by his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. [sina.com] |
"As of now I can give the order that there shall be no broadcast of the evidence of Mr. Saayman." said Thokozile Masipa, Judge.
The expert pathologist who carried out Miss. Steenkamp's post mortem said such gruelling details could compromise the dignity of the deceased and her family.
"So I submit that on the basis of these three good reasons informed by medical ethical principles; I would object to the live contemporaneous streaming of this evidence. But I do accept that ultimately some of this testimony may be made public as long as it is done in a controlled and responsible manner." said Professor Gert Saayman, Pathologist.
Early on, court was adjourned to allow the accused to re-gain his composure, he didn't.
The pathologist described in detail the exact nature of Reeva Steenkamp's wounds - including those caused by the bullet that entered her skull. As that harrowing evidence was read out, Mr. Pistorius was clearly extremely distressed - he was crouched over, his hands over his head, his body shaking. He cried, wretched, and vomited throughout.
The professor detailed how two other shots entered her body - at the hip and leg and that the bullets were especially designed to cause maximum damage. And in an apparent inconsistency with Pistorius's version - he said the victim may have eaten within 2 hours of her death just after 3am. The athlete claims they were in bed soon after 10pm. The defense had its chance too. Pressing a security guard on his claims last week that he called Pistorius after reports of gunshots.
"Security - everything is fine."
Barry Roux produced phone records that showed Pistorius called him first. Barely composed as he left. With more expert witnesses expected in the days ahead, Tuesday will be no less grueling.
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