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Pistorius smashed door 'on stumps' | Pistorius smashed door 'on stumps' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Oscar Pistorius was not wearing his prosthetic legs when he smashed a locked door to reach his girlfriend, an expert told his murder trial. | Oscar Pistorius was not wearing his prosthetic legs when he smashed a locked door to reach his girlfriend, an expert told his murder trial. |
The forensic evidence contradicted the athlete's claim that he was wearing his artificial limbs at the time. | The forensic evidence contradicted the athlete's claim that he was wearing his artificial limbs at the time. |
The damaged bathroom door is in the court to be examined during the trial. | The damaged bathroom door is in the court to be examined during the trial. |
Mr Pistorius denies intentionally killing Reeva Steenkamp in February last year, saying he fired after mistaking her for a burglar. | Mr Pistorius denies intentionally killing Reeva Steenkamp in February last year, saying he fired after mistaking her for a burglar. |
There is also a toilet cubicle in court, says the BBC's Pumza Fihlani at the court in Pretoria. | There is also a toilet cubicle in court, says the BBC's Pumza Fihlani at the court in Pretoria. |
It is a replica of the room in which Ms Steenkamp was shot. | It is a replica of the room in which Ms Steenkamp was shot. |
Forensic evidence on the location from which shots were fired, how they were grouped and their trajectory is being presented to the court. | |
Cross-examining, Mr Pistorius' defence team asked forensic expert Police Colonel Johan Vermeulen to kneel and lift his feet, which caused him to wobble. | Cross-examining, Mr Pistorius' defence team asked forensic expert Police Colonel Johan Vermeulen to kneel and lift his feet, which caused him to wobble. |
The defence team claimed that Mr Pistorius therefore would not have been able to balance on his stumps and break down the door using a cricket bat. | The defence team claimed that Mr Pistorius therefore would not have been able to balance on his stumps and break down the door using a cricket bat. |
Defence lawyer Barry Roux also alleged that police had contaminated the crime scene by stepping on the door. | Defence lawyer Barry Roux also alleged that police had contaminated the crime scene by stepping on the door. |
Col Vermeulen argued that if Mr Pistorius was balanced enough to fire a gun, he could also break down a door with a bat. | Col Vermeulen argued that if Mr Pistorius was balanced enough to fire a gun, he could also break down a door with a bat. |
The forensics expert argued that the angle and location of the marks on the door suggested that they had been caused by someone much shorter than him. | The forensics expert argued that the angle and location of the marks on the door suggested that they had been caused by someone much shorter than him. |
The defence team argued that a mark on the bottom of the door showed where Mr Pistorius had tried to kick open the door using his prosthetic legs. Col Vermeulen agreed that this was possible. | The defence team argued that a mark on the bottom of the door showed where Mr Pistorius had tried to kick open the door using his prosthetic legs. Col Vermeulen agreed that this was possible. |
"The marks on the door are actually consistent with him not having his legs on and I suspect they must be similar to the height that he was when he fired the shots," he told the court. | "The marks on the door are actually consistent with him not having his legs on and I suspect they must be similar to the height that he was when he fired the shots," he told the court. |
The prosecution argues that Mr Pistorius hit the door with the cricket bat before the shots were fired, but the defence claims it was the other way round. | The prosecution argues that Mr Pistorius hit the door with the cricket bat before the shots were fired, but the defence claims it was the other way round. |
The trial is now halfway through its second week, and is expected to feature over 100 witnesses. | The trial is now halfway through its second week, and is expected to feature over 100 witnesses. |
Fabricated evidence | Fabricated evidence |
Earlier on Wednesday, a friend of Mr Pistorius claimed that the star had driven at 200 km/h (124mph) and that he had taken a picture of the speedometer to prove it. | Earlier on Wednesday, a friend of Mr Pistorius claimed that the star had driven at 200 km/h (124mph) and that he had taken a picture of the speedometer to prove it. |
The defence team alleged that Darren Fresco was himself driving at the time and had therefore fabricated evidence. | The defence team alleged that Darren Fresco was himself driving at the time and had therefore fabricated evidence. |
On Tuesday, Mr Pistorius' defence team questioned a pathologist's finding that his girlfriend had eaten less than two hours before he killed her. | On Tuesday, Mr Pistorius' defence team questioned a pathologist's finding that his girlfriend had eaten less than two hours before he killed her. |
This contradicts the athlete's account that the pair had been in bed for several hours before the shooting. | This contradicts the athlete's account that the pair had been in bed for several hours before the shooting. |
The state is seeking to convince the court that Mr Pistorius and Ms Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, and reality TV star, had an argument before the athlete fired the shots that killed her. | The state is seeking to convince the court that Mr Pistorius and Ms Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, and reality TV star, had an argument before the athlete fired the shots that killed her. |
There are no juries at trials in South Africa, and his fate will ultimately be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors. | There are no juries at trials in South Africa, and his fate will ultimately be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors. |
If found guilty, the 27-year-old, a national sporting hero dubbed the "blade runner", could face life imprisonment. | If found guilty, the 27-year-old, a national sporting hero dubbed the "blade runner", could face life imprisonment. |