This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26574952

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Oscar Pistorius trial 'had blood on his arm' Oscar Pistorius' watches went missing under police guard
(about 3 hours later)
Oscar Pistorius has blood on his arm after shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year, a retired police officer has told his murder trial. A former South African police officer has said he was "furious" when two of Oscar Pistorius' watches went missing from the crime scene.
The court has also been shown a photograph of the South African athlete with blood on his shorts. Col Schoombie van Rensburg told the murder trial he ordered his officers to be body-searched for the "expensive" watches, but they were not found.
He denies murder, saying he shot his girlfriend after mistaking her for an intruder. He also said an officer had handled Mr Pistorius' gun without wearing gloves.
Mr Pistorius denies murder, saying he mistook Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder.
The prosecution says he shot Ms Steenkamp after an argument at his house on Valentine's Day 2013.The prosecution says he shot Ms Steenkamp after an argument at his house on Valentine's Day 2013.
On Thursday retired police colonel Schoombie van Rensburg told the court he followed a "trail of blood" up the stairs after arriving at Oscar Pistorius' home. Col Van Rensburg, who was initially in charge of the crime scene, said that when he first saw the watches he was worried about them and ordered them to be photographed because they "looked expensive".
Col Van Rensburg, who was initially in charge of the crime scene, said he immediately gave orders for it to be secured. After returning to the main bedroom where a team of forensic experts was gathering evidence, he realised one watch, said to be worth as much as $10,000 (£6,000) was missing. He said he was told Mr Pistorius' sister Aimee had come into the room and removed it.
Defence lawyer Barry Roux has said that evidence from the scene, including eight watches, subsequently went missing. After leaving the room again, another watch went missing, so he gave instructions for the police officers and their cars to be searched.
Col Van Rensburg said he ordered photographs to be taken of the watches because they "looked expensive". Col Van Rensburg said that after that, everyone entering and leaving the scene was thoroughly searched and entered into a log, presented in court.
He described his stunned reaction to the watches' disappearance: "I said, 'I can't believe it. We were just there. How can this watch be gone?'"
He said he told Mr Pistorius he should file a complaint, while he opened a case of theft.
The former officer, who retired last year, also told the court he was angry when he saw a ballistics expert handling Mr Pistorius' 9mm pistol without any gloves, and told him to put some on.
The admissions call into question the police's handling of the crime scene, in a case that is likely to hinge on sensitive forensic evidence.
'Trail of blood'
Col Van Rensburg also said he saw Mr Pistorius with blood on his arm, while the court was shown a photograph of the South African Paralympic athlete with blood on his shorts.
On Thursday, he told the court he followed a "trail of blood" up the stairs after arriving at Oscar Pistorius' home.
He said he found the toilet door, through which Ms Steenkamp had been shot, locked.He said he found the toilet door, through which Ms Steenkamp had been shot, locked.
He said the key was in the outside, whereas Mr Pistorius said he found the key on the inside, after breaking down the door.He said the key was in the outside, whereas Mr Pistorius said he found the key on the inside, after breaking down the door.
The police officer said he found Mr Pistorius' gun, a 9mm pistol, with blood on it lying on a grey towel inside the bathroom, along with a white mobile phone. The retired officer said he found Mr Pistorius' gun with blood on it lying on a grey towel inside the bathroom, along with a white mobile phone.
Before Col Van Rensburg began his testimony on Thursday, photographs of Ms Steenkamp's bloodied head and face were shown in court, prompting Mr Pistorius to vomit.Before Col Van Rensburg began his testimony on Thursday, photographs of Ms Steenkamp's bloodied head and face were shown in court, prompting Mr Pistorius to vomit.
The South African athlete, who has had both legs amputated, was sick several times on Monday while evidence from the post-mortem examination was presented to court and has also cried on several occasions. The athlete, who has had both legs amputated, was sick several times on Monday while evidence from the post-mortem examination was presented to court and has also cried on several occasions.
The court was later told that photos of her body would be removed from the police file and not displayed in court.The court was later told that photos of her body would be removed from the police file and not displayed in court.
The BBC's Pumza Fihlani, who was in court, says images of the deceased's body are often shown during trial and the decision could fuel a perception that South African courts give special treatment to the rich and famous.The BBC's Pumza Fihlani, who was in court, says images of the deceased's body are often shown during trial and the decision could fuel a perception that South African courts give special treatment to the rich and famous.
Contested claims
The prosecution has been attempting to cast doubt on parts of Mr Pistorius' story, including his claim that he was wearing his prosthetic legs at the time of the shooting.The prosecution has been attempting to cast doubt on parts of Mr Pistorius' story, including his claim that he was wearing his prosthetic legs at the time of the shooting.
A forensics expert has said the angle of marks on the door proved that Mr Pistorius was not wearing his prosthetic legs when he hit the door repeatedly with a cricket bat.A forensics expert has said the angle of marks on the door proved that Mr Pistorius was not wearing his prosthetic legs when he hit the door repeatedly with a cricket bat.
The defence lawyer showed the court a photograph of Mr Pistorius' legs, with white socks and blood stains up to the knee.The defence lawyer showed the court a photograph of Mr Pistorius' legs, with white socks and blood stains up to the knee.
The trial, which has lasted nine days, is expected to call on more than 100 witnesses. It had been set to last for three weeks but looks likely to be extended. The trial, which is now in its 10th day, is expected to call on more than 100 witnesses. It had been set to last for three weeks but looks likely to be extended.
The state is seeking to convince the court that Mr Pistorius and Ms Steenkamp - a 29-year-old model, reality TV star and law graduate - 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, reality TV star and law graduate - 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.