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Oscar Pistorius trial: Photographs of Paralympian drenched in blood shown in court Oscar Pistorius trial: Photographs of Paralympian drenched in blood shown in court
(35 minutes later)
Photographs of a bare-chested Oscar Pistorius covered in blood from the waist down were shown in court as his murder trial enters its tenth day.Photographs of a bare-chested Oscar Pistorius covered in blood from the waist down were shown in court as his murder trial enters its tenth day.
The photographs were taken shortly after the Paralympian shot and killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his Pretoria home on Valentine's Day last year.The photographs were taken shortly after the Paralympian shot and killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his Pretoria home on Valentine's Day last year.
In one of the photographs, a shirtless Pistorius is seen standing facing the camera wearing shorts and his prosthetic legs splattered with blood.In one of the photographs, a shirtless Pistorius is seen standing facing the camera wearing shorts and his prosthetic legs splattered with blood.
The second photograph showed Pistorius from the waist up, with a tattoo visible on his back, but his naked chest appears to be clean of blood. The photographs were taken in his garage before he was arrested.The second photograph showed Pistorius from the waist up, with a tattoo visible on his back, but his naked chest appears to be clean of blood. The photographs were taken in his garage before he was arrested.
Earlier, Colonel Schoombie van Rensburg, the first police officer to arrive, told the North Gauteng High Court that he admitted a ballistics expert to the bathroom where Ms Steenkamp had been shot, and found him handling Mr Pistorius’s firearm "without gloves". Former police colonel Schoombie van Rensburg arrived at the scene around 30 to 40 minutes after prosecutors argue Pistorius killed Ms Steenkamp.
He told the court he found Pistorius in the kitcken, pacing up and down, and the athlete was "very emotional". He didn't arrest him immediately after discovering Ms Steenkamp had been shot dead, but warned him to stay inside the house."I told him I observed him as a suspect at that stage," he told the court. "I warned him of his rights. I said to him I wasn't arresting him at that stage ... I requested him to remain present at all times at the scene."
Earlier, Col Van Rensburg told the North Gauteng High Court he admitted a ballistics expert to the bathroom where Ms Steenkamp had been shot, and found him handling Mr Pistorius’s firearm "without gloves".
"I was very angry," he said. "I asked him,'‘what are you doing?’ I couldn’t believe it.""I was very angry," he said. "I asked him,'‘what are you doing?’ I couldn’t believe it."
He found a case of expensive watches from one of Pistorius’s sponsors in the athlete’s bedroom which was marked with blood, and therefore an important piece of evidence.He found a case of expensive watches from one of Pistorius’s sponsors in the athlete’s bedroom which was marked with blood, and therefore an important piece of evidence.
Pistorius from the waist up, with a tattoo visible on his back, and blood on his left arm Later when one of the watches went missing, he conducted pat downs and searches of all the officers present. “We even searched the cars,” he said, but the watch was never recovered.Pistorius from the waist up, with a tattoo visible on his back, and blood on his left arm Later when one of the watches went missing, he conducted pat downs and searches of all the officers present. “We even searched the cars,” he said, but the watch was never recovered.
He also said he kept the the toilet door through which the fatal bullets were fired, in his office for more than two weeks after the incident occurred, rather than in an evidence room, having removed it from the scene in a body bag.He also said he kept the the toilet door through which the fatal bullets were fired, in his office for more than two weeks after the incident occurred, rather than in an evidence room, having removed it from the scene in a body bag.
“The newspapers were offering 50,000 to 60,000 rand [around £3,000] for a picture of the door,” he said. "We had to remove it."“The newspapers were offering 50,000 to 60,000 rand [around £3,000] for a picture of the door,” he said. "We had to remove it."
The door has been viewed as crucial evidence in the case, and was removed from the athlete's home in the hours after he shot Ms Steenkamp. The marks on the door could determine the angle and height from which Pistorius fired.The door has been viewed as crucial evidence in the case, and was removed from the athlete's home in the hours after he shot Ms Steenkamp. The marks on the door could determine the angle and height from which Pistorius fired.
Yesterday, Pistorius threw up again after after a picture of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp's blood-covered body was accidentally shown, prompting loud winces in court.
A series of photographs showing cartridge cases on the floor, the window open, a panel of the door smashed through, and large, deep puddles of blood, were presented in public for the first time.
Col Van Rensburg found the gun lying on top of a grey towel. He said the hammer was pulled back and ready to fire. He saw Ms Steenkamp's body covered in towels and plastic bags used by Pistorius to stop the bleeding.
The 29-year old model and law graduate was shot three times, being hit in the head, arm and hip from three bullets from a 9mm pistol through the locked bathroom door of Pistorius' upscale home in the gated Silver Woods estate.
Last week, Pistorius pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Steenkamp, claiming he shot her in a case of mistaken identity thinking she was an intruder.Last week, Pistorius pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Steenkamp, claiming he shot her in a case of mistaken identity thinking she was an intruder.
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.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.The case continues.