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Oscar Pistorius trial: Security guard insists athlete told him 'everything is fine' after shooting Reeva Steenkamp to death Oscar Pistorius trial: Athlete throws up as court hears 'graphic details' of Reeva Steenkamp's autopsy
(35 minutes later)
A security guard at the gated estate where Oscar Pistorius lived insisted the athlete told him "everything is fine" in the minutes after the shooting of Reeva Steenkamp, Pretoria's High Court heard. Oscar Pistorius bent over in the dock and retched into a bucket as his murder trial heard graphic evidence from the pathologist who performed the post mortem on his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Pieter Baba said he phoned Pistorius following reports of a shooting on Valentine's Day last year, and not the other way round, as the athlete's defence team led by Barry Roux had previously suggested. Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled that Professor Gert Saayman’s evidence not be broadcast or tweeted, in accordance with the pathologist’s own wishes, as the athlete's murder trial entered its second week in Pretoria.
Speaking through an Afrikaans translator, Mr Baba insisted Pistorius told him "everything is fine" after Ms Steenkamp was fatally shot three times through the locked door of his bathroom. He said the athlete was crying over the phone and did not seem well. Mr Pistorius blocked both his ears with his thumbs and sobbed into a white handkerchief as Professor Saayman described in some detail the size and shape of the four gunshots that killed Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.
During his cross-examination. Pistorius' lawyer challenged his version of events showing the court Mr Baba's police statement where he said athlete told him he was OK- instead of "everything is fine." He had only been speaking for a matter of minutes when Pistorius's defence counsel Barry Roux requested court be adjourned because: "Mr Pistorius has been sick."
Mr Roux suggested he has evidence, including athlete's outgoing call records and security's incoming call records. proving Pistorius called him first. Both sets of lawyers had argued for the broadcast of proceedings to be suspended while the court heard what was expected to be "extremely graphic" testimony.
On Friday, Mr Baba told the court he was on duty at Pistorius' Silver Woods estate the night Ms Steenkamp died. State prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court that Professor Saayman had "ethical concerns" over the broadcasting details of the autopsy. Mr Nel said the move was needed to "respect the decency" of Ms Steenkamp and her family and friends.
Responding to reports of a shooting, Mr Baba phoned Pistorius, and the athlete said: "Security? Everything is fine". Pistorius then called him but the line went off. Professor Saayman told the court that "the graphic details have the potential to damage the dignity of the deceased". By broadcasting his testimony, it would, he said, “harm the rights of the remaining friends and relatives of the deceased.”
Mr Baba told the court he saw Pistorius coming down with Ms Steenkamp but lost consciousness as a result of the shock and missed details as to how he carried her from the top floor. "It goes against the good morals of society to make this information available, to unsuspecting members of the public, including children and other vulnerable people."
Later, both sets of lawyers Oscar Pistorius's trial asked for broadcast of proceedings to be suspended while the court heard what was expected to be "extremely graphic" testimony from the pathologist who carried out the post mortem on Ms Steenkamp. South African broadcasters fought a lengthy legal battle for the right to broadcast the case. Dr Saayman’s testimony will still be filmed, and they broadcasters are hopeful that its “benign parts” may be broadcast tonight or tomorrow morning.
State prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court that Professor Gert Saayman had "ethical concerns" over the broadcasting details of his post-mortem examination of Reeva Steenkamp. He said the move was needed to "respect the decency" of Ms Steenkamp and her family and friends. Earlier, Pieter Baba, a security guard at the gated estate where Pistorius lived, insisted the athlete told him "everything is fine" in the minutes after the shooting of Ms Steenkamp.
Pistorius sobbed in the dock for some time, while being supported by his sister Aimee, at the prospect of listening to the extent of the injuries he inflicted on his girlfriend. Mr Baba said he phoned Pistorius following reports of a shooting , and not the other way round, as the athlete's defence team led by Barry Roux had previously suggested.
At one point, a police officer placed a bucket next to him. During his cross-examination, Pistorius' lawyer challenged his version of events showing the court Mr Baba's police statement where he said athlete told him he was OK- instead of "everything is fine."
Professor Saayman told the court that "the graphic details have the potential to damage the dignity of the deceased". By broadcasting his testimony, it would, he said, "harm the rights of the remaining friends and relatives of the deceased." Mr Roux suggested he has evidence, including athlete's outgoing phone call records and security's incoming call records, proving Pistorius called him first.
"It goes against the good morals of society to make this information available, poerhaps accidentally, to children and other vulnerable people," he added. Last week, Pistorius pleaded not guilty of murdering Ms Steenkamp, claiming he shot her in a case of mistaken identity thinking she was an intruder.
Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled the post-mortem examination could not be broadcast. The model and law graduate was shot three times, being hit in the head, arm and hip from three bullets from a 9mm pistol.
Prosecutors argue he intentionally shot and killed  his girlfriend following a domestic dispute. If convicted of murder he will almost certainly receive a life sentence, with a minimum term of 25 years.
The case continues.