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Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp 'making plans' Oscar Pistorius 'besotted' with Reeva Steenkamp
(35 minutes later)
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has said he and his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp shared many things in common, at his murder trial. South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has said he was "besotted" with his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, as he gave evidence at his murder trial.
The Paralympian said they had been talking about "future plans" together.The Paralympian said they had been talking about "future plans" together.
He also read out messages they had sent each other, including one where she said he scared her sometimes.He also read out messages they had sent each other, including one where she said he scared her sometimes.
The athlete denies deliberately shooting dead Ms Steenkamp in his home on Valentine's Day last year, arguing he mistook her for an intruder.The athlete denies deliberately shooting dead Ms Steenkamp in his home on Valentine's Day last year, arguing he mistook her for an intruder.
On his first day on the stand on Monday, he made a tearful apology to Ms Steenkamp's family. On his first day on the stand, he made a tearful apology to Ms Steenkamp's family.
The trial was adjourned on Monday after he was overcome with emotion.The trial was adjourned on Monday after he was overcome with emotion.
If found guilty, the Paralympic athlete could face life imprisonment.If found guilty, the Paralympic athlete could face life imprisonment.
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.
'Very keen''Very keen'
The BBC's Andrew Harding says the courtroom is packed for the second day of Mr Pistorius' testimony.The BBC's Andrew Harding says the courtroom is packed for the second day of Mr Pistorius' testimony.
Responding to his questioning by his lawyer Barry Roux, he said that in January 2013: "I was very keen on Reeva. If anything I was more keen, than she was." Responding to his questioning by his lawyer Barry Roux, he said that in January 2013: "I was very keen on Reeva. If anything I was more keen than she was."
He said they had a shared interest in cars and had spent Christmas together after meeting on 4 November 2012.He said they had a shared interest in cars and had spent Christmas together after meeting on 4 November 2012.
"I let her just take her space - it wasn't always easy I was besotted with her... the relationship built up to a point in December, January that we really needed, we started caring about each other, we start talking about future plans."
He shot her dead on 14 February 2013.
Mr Roux has also asked him to comment on "tensions" in their relationship and on Whatsapp messages Ms Steenkamp sent him in which she expresses disquiet about his attitude towards her, accusing him of "double standards".Mr Roux has also asked him to comment on "tensions" in their relationship and on Whatsapp messages Ms Steenkamp sent him in which she expresses disquiet about his attitude towards her, accusing him of "double standards".
Tears streamed down the athlete's face as he read out the messages sent to him by Ms Steenkamp during his testimony, which is not being filmed.Tears streamed down the athlete's face as he read out the messages sent to him by Ms Steenkamp during his testimony, which is not being filmed.
On Monday, Mr Pistorius told Ms Steenkamp's relatives that there "hasn't been a moment since this tragedy happened that I haven't thought about your family".On Monday, Mr Pistorius told Ms Steenkamp's relatives that there "hasn't been a moment since this tragedy happened that I haven't thought about your family".
He said: "I can't imagine the pain and the sorrow and the emptiness that I've caused you and your family."He said: "I can't imagine the pain and the sorrow and the emptiness that I've caused you and your family."
"I was simply trying to protect Reeva. I can promise that when she went to bed that night she felt loved.""I was simply trying to protect Reeva. I can promise that when she went to bed that night she felt loved."
In the packed Pretoria courtroom, Ms Steenkamp's mother, June, sat stony-faced while he spoke. Ms Steenkamp's mother, June, sat stony-faced while he spoke.
Mr Pistorius admitted to taking anti-depressants and sleeping pills, saying he was "scared to sleep" and suffered from "terrible nightmares".Mr Pistorius admitted to taking anti-depressants and sleeping pills, saying he was "scared to sleep" and suffered from "terrible nightmares".
He also told the court that he had regularly been confronted with violence, including break-ins and assaults, while he was growing up.He also told the court that he had regularly been confronted with violence, including break-ins and assaults, while he was growing up.
The athlete became emotional when he detailed how important religion had been to him and Ms Steenkamp. His counsel, Barry Roux, eventually asked for an adjournment. The athlete became emotional when he detailed how important religion had been to him and Ms Steenkamp. His counsel eventually asked for an adjournment.
The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in court says the defence team was trying to paint a picture of a man whose life had been peppered with tragedy, fear and vulnerability.
Prior to Mr Pistorius' appearance, the trial had already heard 15 days of prosecution-led testimony, which relied on accounts from neighbours and specialist ballistics experts, as well forensic and mobile phone evidence.Prior to Mr Pistorius' appearance, the trial had already heard 15 days of prosecution-led testimony, which relied on accounts from neighbours and specialist ballistics experts, as well forensic and mobile phone evidence.
One neighbour, Michelle Burger, told the court she was awoken by a woman's "terrible screams" followed by gun shots.One neighbour, Michelle Burger, told the court she was awoken by a woman's "terrible screams" followed by gun shots.
The athlete aims to convince the court that the screams were his, and that he shot Ms Steenkamp through a closed toilet door because he had mistaken her for an intruder.The athlete aims to convince the court that the screams were his, and that he shot Ms Steenkamp through a closed toilet door because he had mistaken her for an intruder.
The defence is also likely to address key questions, including allegations that Mr Pistorius was reckless with guns and in not checking the whereabouts of his girlfriend before he opened fire.The defence is also likely to address key questions, including allegations that Mr Pistorius was reckless with guns and in not checking the whereabouts of his girlfriend before he opened fire.
Ms Steenkamp, a model, reality TV celebrity and law graduate, was hit by at least three bullets while in the toilet cubicle of Mr Pistorius' home in Pretoria on 14 February 2013, Valentine's Day.Ms Steenkamp, a model, reality TV celebrity and law graduate, was hit by at least three bullets while in the toilet cubicle of Mr Pistorius' home in Pretoria on 14 February 2013, Valentine's Day.
Mr Pistorius is a double amputee who holds six Paralympic medals and competed in the 2012 Olympic Games.Mr Pistorius is a double amputee who holds six Paralympic medals and competed in the 2012 Olympic Games.