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-27030307

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Oscar Pistorius: I was heartbroken at seeing Steenkamp Oscar Pistorius: I was heartbroken at seeing Steenkamp
(36 minutes later)
South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has told his murder trial he was "heartbroken" after seeing the body of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has told his murder trial he was "heartbroken" after seeing the body of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
The court was shown a photograph of the toilet covered in blood where Ms Steenkamp was shot dead in February 2013. Before his cross-examination ended, the court was shown a photograph of the toilet covered in blood where Ms Steenkamp was shot in February 2013.
The double-amputee runner denies murder, insisting that he mistook his girlfriend for an intruder.The double-amputee runner denies murder, insisting that he mistook his girlfriend for an intruder.
He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of premeditated murder.He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of premeditated murder.
Before the hearing resumed, prosecutor Gerrie Nel said that he hoped to finish cross-examining the athlete on Tuesday. Mr Pistorius said that after shooting through the toilet door, he tried to break down the door with his shoulder, before using a cricket bat.
He then asked Judge Thokozile Masipa to adjourn the case over the Easter holidays, until 5 May. He said that all this time, he was screaming and in panic at the thought he might have killed Ms Steenkamp.
He said members of his team were engaged in "more pressing" cases, which needed their attention, as well as "personal arrangements". But the athlete said he stopped screaming when he finally opened the door and saw the body.
The request was supported by the defence, who said the case should still finish on 16 May, as planned. The judge said she would deliver her judgement on this request on Wednesday. When asked why, he replied, his voice trembling with emotion: "I was heartbroken... overcome with sadness".
On Monday, Mr Nel suggested the athlete was staging emotional outbursts to mask his difficulty in answering a barrage of probing questions. On Monday, Prosecutor Gerrie Nel suggested the athlete was staging emotional outbursts to mask his difficulty in answering a barrage of probing questions.
Judge Masipa temporarily halted proceedings on two occasions on Monday after Mr Pistorius broke down sobbing. Judge Thokozile Masipa temporarily halted proceedings on two occasions on Monday after Mr Pistorius broke down sobbing.
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."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 the "bull terrier" for his fierce style of questioning, then asked: "You're not using your emotional state as an escape, are you?"The prosecutor, known as the "bull terrier" for his fierce style of questioning, then asked: "You're not using your emotional state as an escape, are you?"
Mr Pistorius said he had not been in a "rational frame of mind'' at the time of the shooting. Both prosecution and defence have asked Judge Masipa to postpone the case until 5 May, following Tuesday's cross-examination.
Earlier, Mr Nel again pressed Mr Pistorius on the moment he shot Ms Steenkamp. Mr Nel said members of his team were engaged in "more pressing" cases, which needed their attention, as well as "personal arrangements".
The athlete insisted he had not intended to kill anyone, saying: "I fired out of fear." The defence said the case should still finish on 16 May, as planned. The judge said she would deliver her judgement on this request on Wednesday.
Mr Nel then said Mr Pistorius was changing his story from self-defence to saying he shot by accident. The prosecution says Mr Pistorius deliberately shot dead his girlfriend following an argument.
On Monday, the athlete insisted he had not intended to kill anyone, saying: "I fired out of fear."
Mr Nel said 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, bursting into tears and prompting the court to adjourn briefly."It's not true," Mr Pistorius replied, bursting into tears and prompting the court to adjourn briefly.
Mr Pistorius said he and Ms Steenkamp had spent a quiet evening together before he woke up on hearing a noise in the bathroom.Mr Pistorius said he and Ms Steenkamp had spent 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.
If Mr Pistorius 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 Mr Pistorius is acquitted of murder, the court must consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could receive about 15 years in prison.
He also faces charges of illegally firing a gun in public and of illegally possessing ammunition, both of which he denies.He 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 be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors.There are no juries at trials in South Africa, and his fate will be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors.
Oscar Pistorius is known as the "Blade Runner" because of the carbon-fibre prosthetics he uses on the track. Mr Pistorius is known as the "Blade Runner" because of the carbon-fibre prosthetics he uses on the track.