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Oscar Pistorius trial: Reeva Steenkamp standing with 'hand on the door handle' when she was shot dead Oscar Pistorius trial: Reeva Steenkamp standing with 'hand on the door handle' when she was shot dead
(35 minutes later)
Reeva Steenkamp was standing with her hand "on the door handle" before Oscar Pistorius shot her dead through a locked toilet door, his murder trial heard.Reeva Steenkamp was standing with her hand "on the door handle" before Oscar Pistorius shot her dead through a locked toilet door, his murder trial heard.
Continuing his evidence, forensic expert Roger Dixon told the court Ms Steenkamp was "standing arm forward towards the door handle" when he opened fire, suggesting she may have been in the process of opening the toilet door.Continuing his evidence, forensic expert Roger Dixon told the court Ms Steenkamp was "standing arm forward towards the door handle" when he opened fire, suggesting she may have been in the process of opening the toilet door.
The athlete's defence team, led by Barry Roux, sought to cast doubt over the prosecution's claim that Ms Steenkamp "ran screaming" to the bathroom and locked herself inside the toilet hiding from Pistorius following a domestic dispute.The athlete's defence team, led by Barry Roux, sought to cast doubt over the prosecution's claim that Ms Steenkamp "ran screaming" to the bathroom and locked herself inside the toilet hiding from Pistorius following a domestic dispute.
Returning to the witness box, Mr Dixon, a former policeman, challenged the state's version that Ms Steenkamp was facing the door when the first of three bullets struck her in the hip. Pistorius then heard her fall back and changed aim hitting her in the arm and head.                                    Returning to the witness box, Mr Dixon, a former policeman, challenged the state's version that Ms Steenkamp was facing the door when the first of three bullets struck her in the hip. Pistorius then heard her fall back and changed aim hitting her in the arm and head.
Today, Mr Dixon told Pretoria's High Court she was standing close to the door when the first two shots struck her in the hip and arm in quick succession, leaving her incapacitated to move. His testimony backs the athlete's claim that he fired four shots in rapid succession. Today, Mr Dixon told Pretoria's High Court she was standing close to the door at an angle when the first two shots struck her in the hip and arm in quick succession "like an instant amputation". His testimony appears to back the athlete's claim that he fired four shots in rapid succession.
Pistorius, back in the dock after five days of cross-examination, kept his hands in his head as Mr Dixon described the impact of the Black Talon bullets that pierced his girlfriend's body.Pistorius, back in the dock after five days of cross-examination, kept his hands in his head as Mr Dixon described the impact of the Black Talon bullets that pierced his girlfriend's body.
On Tuesday, the court also heard sound recordings of a cricket bat striking a door and of gunshots fired through a door. The defence sought to prove the sounds are similar and could be confused.On Tuesday, the court also heard sound recordings of a cricket bat striking a door and of gunshots fired through a door. The defence sought to prove the sounds are similar and could be confused.
The sequence is crucial because several neighbours claimed they heard a woman screaming followed by loud noises at the start of the trial, which appears to back the prosecution's case that there was an argument before Pistorius opened fire at the door knowing Ms Steenkamp was inside.The sequence is crucial because several neighbours claimed they heard a woman screaming followed by loud noises at the start of the trial, which appears to back the prosecution's case that there was an argument before Pistorius opened fire at the door knowing Ms Steenkamp was inside.
His defence claims neighbours are confusing the sound of the cricket bat striking the door for gunshots and mistook the athlete's high-pitched voice calling for help for a woman screaming His defence claims neighbours confused the sound of the cricket bat striking the door for gunshots and mistook the athlete's high-pitched voice calling for help for a woman screaming
On questioning by Mr Nel, Mr Dixon told the court the tests had to be done a second time because the firearm that was used kept jamming, and they were recorded by a music producer who had no experience in recording gunshots. In cross-examination, Mr Dixon told the court the tests had to be done a second time because the firearm that was used kept jamming, and they were recorded by a music producer who had no experience in recording gunshots.  He also admitted they used different ammunition.
Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel questioned Mr Dixon's qualifications and raised doubts about his analysis of the crime scene and the circumstances surrounding Ms Steenkamp's death.Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel questioned Mr Dixon's qualifications and raised doubts about his analysis of the crime scene and the circumstances surrounding Ms Steenkamp's death.
Mr Dixon, a qualified geologist currently employed at the University of Pretoria's geology department, conceded he is not a ballistic expert and is not affiliated to a forensic body. Mr Dixon, a qualified geologist currently employed at the University of Pretoria, conceded he is not a ballistic expert and is not affiliated to a forensic body.
Yesterday, Mr Dixon said he conducted light tests in Pistorius's bedroom on a "moonless night" that proved it was almost completely dark, supporting the athlete's claim that he could not have seen Ms Steenkamp getting out of bed, and described some aspects of the police investigation as "unprofessional". Yesterday, Mr Dixon said he conducted light tests in Pistorius's bedroom that proved it was almost completely dark, supporting the athlete's claim that he could not have seen Ms Steenkamp getting out of bed, and described some aspects of the police investigation as "unprofessional".
He told the court he tested for light again with athlete's music system and one of its small blue LED lights on, which Pistorius claimed was bothering him the night he shot his girlfriend."With your back to the light I couldn't see into the darker areas of the room," he said.He told the court he tested for light again with athlete's music system and one of its small blue LED lights on, which Pistorius claimed was bothering him the night he shot his girlfriend."With your back to the light I couldn't see into the darker areas of the room," he said.
Asked about his methods, Mr Dixon said the "only instrument" he used to conduct the visibility test were his eyes.Asked about his methods, Mr Dixon said the "only instrument" he used to conduct the visibility test were his eyes.
Earlier, Judge Masipa ruled that proceedings will adjourn for two weeks on Thursday, and resume 5 May following a request from the prosecution citing prior commitments and Easter holidays. Mr Roux is expected to call between 14 to 17 witnesses.Earlier, Judge Masipa ruled that proceedings will adjourn for two weeks on Thursday, and resume 5 May following a request from the prosecution citing prior commitments and Easter holidays. Mr Roux is expected to call between 14 to 17 witnesses.
Pistorius is accused of murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp following a domestic dispute in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year. He claims he shot and killed his girlfriend in a case of mistaken identity, thinking she was an intruder.Pistorius is accused of murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp following a domestic dispute in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year. He claims he shot and killed his girlfriend in a case of mistaken identity, thinking she was an intruder.
The case continues.The case continues.