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Oscar Pistorius trial: Neighbour backs defence Oscar Pistorius trial: Neighbour backs defence
(35 minutes later)
A neighbour of Oscar Pistorius has told his murder trial that he heard the South African Paralympic star say he shot his girlfriend after mistaking her for a burglar. A neighbour of Oscar Pistorius has told his murder trial he heard the South African Paralympic star say he had shot his girlfriend after mistaking her for a burglar.
Johan Stipp, a qualified doctor, says he tried to revive Reeva Steenkamp but he could tell she was dying. Johan Stipp, a qualified doctor, says he tried to revive Reeva Steenkamp but could tell she was dying.
During Dr Stipp's testimony, Mr Pistorius cried and seemed to wretch.During Dr Stipp's testimony, Mr Pistorius cried and seemed to wretch.
The double amputee denies intentionally killing her, saying he mistook the 29-year-old model for an intruder.The double amputee denies intentionally killing her, saying he mistook the 29-year-old model for an intruder.
If found guilty, the 27-year-old could face life imprisonment.If found guilty, the 27-year-old could face life imprisonment.
Dr Stipp said he could see Ms Steenkamp's brain tissue in her hair.Dr Stipp said he could see Ms Steenkamp's brain tissue in her hair.
At this point, a police officer passed a plastic bag to Mr Pistorius.At this point, a police officer passed a plastic bag to Mr Pistorius.
Dr Stipp said that Mr Pistorius had told him: "I shot her. I thought she was a burglar." Recalling the night of 14 February 2013, Dr Stipp said he had heard gunshots.
He said he had found Mr Pistorius kneeling by her body.
"I shot her," the Paralympic star told him. "I thought she was a burglar."
Dr Stipp said Mr Pistorius had been in an emotional state. Fearing he might hurt himself, he had asked where the gun was.
Earlier, defence lawyer Barry Roux said that two neighbours, Michell Burger and Charl Johnson, had discussed their testimony with each other and amended the rough notes they had made a few days after the shooting.Earlier, defence lawyer Barry Roux said that two neighbours, Michell Burger and Charl Johnson, had discussed their testimony with each other and amended the rough notes they had made a few days after the shooting.
"Your interpretation [of events] is designed to incriminate the accused and it's unfortunate," Mr Roux said."Your interpretation [of events] is designed to incriminate the accused and it's unfortunate," Mr Roux said.
Mr Johnson denied this. He insisted that he heard a woman screaming "help", followed by a man doing the same. Mr Johnson denied this. He insisted that he had heard a woman screaming "help", followed by a man doing the same.
On Wednesday, a witness said the athlete was responsible for a weapon being fired at a restaurant last year. On Wednesday, a witness said the athlete had been responsible for a weapon being fired at a restaurant last year.
Boxer Kevin Lerena told the court Mr Pistorius had asked the owner of the gun to take the blame after the incident in January 2013.Boxer Kevin Lerena told the court Mr Pistorius had asked the owner of the gun to take the blame after the incident in January 2013.
Mr Pistorius also faces charges of illegally possessing ammunition, which he denies.Mr Pistorius also faces charges of illegally possessing ammunition, which he denies.
Ms Steenkamp, a model and reality TV star, was shot dead in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year at Mr Pistorius's home in Pretoria.Ms Steenkamp, a model and reality TV star, was shot dead in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year at Mr Pistorius's home in Pretoria.
The arrest of a national sporting hero, who won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and also competed at the Olympics, astounded South Africa.The arrest of a national sporting hero, who won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and also competed at the Olympics, astounded South Africa.
There are no juries at trials in South Africa, and his fate will ultimately be decided by Judge Thokozile Masipa.There are no juries at trials in South Africa, and his fate will ultimately be decided by Judge Thokozile Masipa.
Much of the case will depend on ballistic evidence from the scene of the shooting, correspondents say.Much of the case will depend on ballistic evidence from the scene of the shooting, correspondents say.