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Oscar Pistorius 'tailoring evidence' says Gerrie Nel Oscar Pistorius trial: Prosecutor Gerrie Nel queries tears
(35 minutes later)
Athlete Oscar Pistorius is "tailoring his evidence" at his murder trial, the prosecutor has said, as his cross-examination enters a second week. The prosecutor at the Oscar Pistorius murder trial has suggested the South African athlete is using his emotions "as an escape".
"Your version of events is untrue," said prosecutor Gerrie Nel. He broke down in tears four times on Monday and has also vomited in court.
"Now you trying to be emotional and it's not working," said prosecutor Gerrie Nel.
Mr Pistorius admits killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February last year, but says he fired his gun after mistaking her for an intruder.Mr Pistorius admits killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February last year, but says he fired his gun after mistaking her for an intruder.
Mr Nel argued Ms Steenkamp was trying to leave the South African star's house after an argument, when she was shot. Mr Nel said the Olympic sprinter, 27, had deliberately shot Ms Steenkamp, a model, after the couple had had an argument.
The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in the South Africa capital Pretoria says Mr Nel is trying to highlight apparent inconsistencies between Mr Pistorius' bail application and his evidence in court to show he is "tailoring his evidence" to suit the defence case, which he said had been "concocted". As the prosecutor resumed his cross-examination on Monday, he accused Mr Pistorius of "tailoring his evidence" as he went along to suit the defence case, which had been "concocted".
"Your version of events is untrue," Mr Nel said.
Shortly before the case adjourned for the day, Mr Nel said: "You're getting emotional now because you're getting frustrated because your version [of events] is improbable.
The prosecutor, known as "bull terrier" for his fierce style of questioning, then asked: "You're not using your emotional state as an escape are you?"
The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in the South Africa capital Pretoria says Mr Nel spent much of the day trying to highlight apparent inconsistencies between Mr Pistorius' bail application and his evidence in court.
On one occasion, when Mr Pistorius corrected Mr Nel, the prosecutor said this showed Mr Pistorius was a "stickler for detail" and yet on many aspects of the case, the athlete was being vague.On one occasion, when Mr Pistorius corrected Mr Nel, the prosecutor said this showed Mr Pistorius was a "stickler for detail" and yet on many aspects of the case, the athlete was being vague.
The Olympic sprinter, a double amputee, has three times broken down in tears as he recounted the night of the killing.
On the third time, just before the lunch break, Mr Nel - known as "bull terrier" for his fierce style of questioning - suggested that Mr Pistorius was doing it on purpose.
"You're getting emotional again. There is no need for that," he said.
'Bull terrier''Bull terrier'
Earlier, Mr Nel again pressed Mr Pistorius on the moment he shot Ms Steenkamp.Earlier, Mr Nel again pressed Mr Pistorius on the moment he shot Ms Steenkamp.
The athlete, 27, said he had not intended to kill anyone. The athlete said he had not intended to kill anyone.
"I fired out of fear," he said."I fired out of fear," he said.
This prompted Mr Nel to say Mr Pistorius was changing his story from self-defence to saying he shot by accident.This prompted Mr Nel to say Mr Pistorius was changing his story from self-defence to saying he shot by accident.
The prosecutor said this was because the truth was: "You fired at Reeva."The prosecutor said this was because the truth was: "You fired at Reeva."
"It's not true," Mr Pistorius replied, breaking into tears and prompting the court to briefly adjourn."It's not true," Mr Pistorius replied, breaking into tears and prompting the court to briefly adjourn.
After the break, Mr Nel said that, as Mr Pistorius was trained to use firearms, the court could not accept he had fired by "mistake".After the break, Mr Nel said that, as Mr Pistorius was trained to use firearms, the court could not accept he had fired by "mistake".
The prosecutor said the fact that a pair of Ms Steenkamp's jeans was lying on the bed showed that she was in the middle of getting dressed in order to leave Mr Pistorius' house when she was shot after the couple had argued in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013.The prosecutor said the fact that a pair of Ms Steenkamp's jeans was lying on the bed showed that she was in the middle of getting dressed in order to leave Mr Pistorius' house when she was shot after the couple had argued in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013.
This was denied by Mr Pistorius.This was denied by Mr Pistorius.
He also started sobbing as he recalled shouting at the burglars he thought were in his house.He also started sobbing as he recalled shouting at the burglars he thought were in his house.
When asked why he broke down, Mr Pistorius said: "I am traumatised" by the events of that night.When asked why he broke down, Mr Pistorius said: "I am traumatised" by the events of that night.
The prosecutor also pointed to forensic evidence that showed Ms Steenkamp had eaten within a couple of hours of her death.The prosecutor also pointed to forensic evidence that showed Ms Steenkamp had eaten within a couple of hours of her death.
The athlete says the couple had last eaten together about 19:00, some eight hours before she was shot.The athlete says the couple had last eaten together about 19:00, some eight hours before she was shot.
The athlete says there was no row and they had a quiet evening together, before he woke up on hearing a noise in the bathroom.The athlete says there was no row and they had a quiet evening together, before he woke up on hearing a noise in the bathroom.
Prosecution witnesses have testified to hearing a woman scream, but the defence disputes their testimony.Prosecution witnesses have testified to hearing a woman scream, but the defence disputes their testimony.
The Olympic sprinter faces life imprisonment if convicted of murdering the 29-year-old model and law graduate.The Olympic sprinter faces life imprisonment if convicted of murdering the 29-year-old model and law graduate.
If he is acquitted of murder, the court must consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could receive about 15 years in prison.If he is acquitted of murder, the court must consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could receive about 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.