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Oscar Pistorius: I did not pick on Reeva Steenkamp Oscar Pistorius: I did not pick on Reeva Steenkamp
(35 minutes later)
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has denied "picking on" his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, as his cross-examination continues.South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has denied "picking on" his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, as his cross-examination continues.
He was commenting on a mobile phone message Ms Steenkamp had sent him.He was commenting on a mobile phone message Ms Steenkamp had sent him.
The Paralympian also denied ever shouting at her and regretted never telling Ms Steenkamp he loved her.The Paralympian also denied ever shouting at her and regretted never telling Ms Steenkamp he loved her.
Mr Pistorius denies murdering his girlfriend, saying he accidentally killed her after mistaking her for an intruder.Mr Pistorius denies murdering his girlfriend, saying he accidentally killed her after mistaking her for an intruder.
Prosecutors say Mr Pistorius intentionally killed Ms Steenkamp on 14 February last year by firing a gun through a bathroom door at her after a row at his Pretoria home.Prosecutors say Mr Pistorius intentionally killed Ms Steenkamp on 14 February last year by firing a gun through a bathroom door at her after a row at his Pretoria home.
The 27-year-old Olympic and Paralympic sprinter, who is a double amputee, faces life imprisonment if convicted of murdering the 29-year-old model, reality TV celebrity and law graduate.The 27-year-old Olympic and Paralympic sprinter, who is a double amputee, faces life imprisonment if convicted of murdering the 29-year-old model, reality TV celebrity and law graduate.
As the cross-examination resumed, chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel suggested that Mr Pistorius should have apologised to Ms Steenkamp's family in private, rather than in court as he opened his defence on Monday. Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel, known as the "bull terrier" in South Africa for his fierce questioning, has suggested that Mr Pistorius was only concerned about himself during their relationship.
"It was all about you Mr Pistorius," he said, repeatedly.
The BBC's Karin Giannone in Pretoria say Mr Nel is trying to give an impression that the Paralympic athlete is self-centred, contemptful of his girlfriend, and lacking responsibility.
Mr Pistorius has generally remained calm under Thursday's cross-examination, in contrast to previous days when he has burst into tears and been sick.
Mr Nel suggested that Mr Pistorius should have apologised to Ms Steenkamp's family in private, rather than in court as he opened his defence on Monday.
The athlete replied that he had not had the opportunity and had been unable to find the correct words.The athlete replied that he had not had the opportunity and had been unable to find the correct words.
When pressed, he said he apologised for "taking the life of" Ms Steenkamp. When Mr Nel noted that in Monday's apology, Mr Pistorius did not say he was sorry for killing Ms Steenkamp, the athlete replied: "I'm terribly sorry that I took the life of their daughter".
In an interview with the UK's Daily Mirror newspaper, her mother, June, said the apology "left me unmoved. I knew it was coming".In an interview with the UK's Daily Mirror newspaper, her mother, June, said the apology "left me unmoved. I knew it was coming".
She said: "He has been very dramatic, the vomiting and crying... I don't know whether he's acting."She said: "He has been very dramatic, the vomiting and crying... I don't know whether he's acting."
In court, Mrs Steenkamp shook her head as Mr Pistorius was taken through several Whatsapp messages, which Ms Steenkamp had sent.In court, Mrs Steenkamp shook her head as Mr Pistorius was taken through several Whatsapp messages, which Ms Steenkamp had sent.
In one, she wrote: "You have picked on me incessantly since we got back from Cape Town."In one, she wrote: "You have picked on me incessantly since we got back from Cape Town."
Asked to comment, Mr Pistorius said: "I don't feel like I picked on her incessantly - maybe we were having a rough time in our relationship."Asked to comment, Mr Pistorius said: "I don't feel like I picked on her incessantly - maybe we were having a rough time in our relationship."
Mr Nel, known as the "bull terrier" in South Africa for his fierce questioning, also suggested that Mr Pistorius was concerned about himself during their relationship.
"It was all about you Mr Pistorius," he said, repeatedly.
As well as denying ever shouting or screaming at Ms Steenkamp, the athlete said he had never shouted at a previous girlfriend, Sam Taylor, as she had testified earlier in the trial.As well as denying ever shouting or screaming at Ms Steenkamp, the athlete said he had never shouted at a previous girlfriend, Sam Taylor, as she had testified earlier in the trial.
On Wednesday's dramatic first day of questioning by Mr Nel, the South African athlete became distraught as he was shown a graphic photo of Ms Steenkamp after her death.On Wednesday's dramatic first day of questioning by Mr Nel, the South African athlete became distraught as he was shown a graphic photo of Ms Steenkamp after her death.
An emotional Mr Pistorius turned away from the image on a monitor screen and said: "I've taken responsibility… but I will not look at a picture where I am tormented by what I saw and felt that night... I remember. I don't have to look at a picture, I was there.''An emotional Mr Pistorius turned away from the image on a monitor screen and said: "I've taken responsibility… but I will not look at a picture where I am tormented by what I saw and felt that night... I remember. I don't have to look at a picture, I was there.''
Earlier on Wednesday, while being questioned by his lawyer Barry Roux, Mr Pistorius told the court he had tried to revive Ms Steenkamp, who was hit by three of four pistol rounds he fired through the door. As he finished his evidence, on Wednesday, Mr Pistorius said: "I did not intend to kill Reeva, or anybody else for that matter."
"I checked to see if she was breathing and she wasn't," he said. "I could feel the blood was running down on me."
He said he had managed to carry Ms Steenkamp downstairs, where neighbours had tried to administer first aid before paramedics arrived.
"The paramedics arrived. They asked for some space to work so I stood up," Mr Pistorius said. "Reeva had already died whilst I was holding her, before the ambulance arrived, so I knew there was nothing they could do for her."
Before Mr Roux ended his questioning, he asked Mr Pistorius if he had intentionally killed Ms Steenkamp.
"I did not intend to kill Reeva or anybody else for that matter," he replied.
If Mr Pistorius is acquitted of murder, South African law stipulates that the court must consider the separate, lesser charge of culpable homicide, or manslaughter, for which he could receive between six and 15 years in prison.If Mr Pistorius is acquitted of murder, South African law stipulates that the court must consider the separate, lesser charge of culpable homicide, or manslaughter, for which he could receive between six and 15 years in prison.
Mr Pistorius also faces charges of illegally firing a gun in public and of illegally possessing ammunition, both of which he denies.Mr Pistorius also faces charges of illegally firing a gun in public and of illegally possessing ammunition, both of which he denies.
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.