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Oscar Pistorius trial: New blow for Paralympian as defence witness appears to contradict his version of events Oscar Pistorius trial: Defence witness contradicts athlete's version in new blow for defence team
(about 3 hours later)
Oscar Pistorius's defence received a new blow after its own expert witness contradicted the athlete's version of events in cross-examination from chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel.Oscar Pistorius's defence received a new blow after its own expert witness contradicted the athlete's version of events in cross-examination from chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel.
Returning to the witness stand, Roger Dixon, a qualified geologist and a former policeman, told the court his analysis of the crime scene showed the magazine rack in the athlete's bathroom was in the same position as shown in photographs taken by the police. Returning to the witness box, Roger Dixon, a geologist at the University of Pretoria and former policeman, told the court his analysis of Reeva Steenkamp's bruises and blood marks on the bathroom floor showed that the position of the magazine rack contradicted Pistorius's version, who insists it was moved.
But the geologist came under renewed scrutiny from Mr Nel who noted the athlete claims the crime scene was contaminated and the magazine rack was moved. Referring to a graphic photograph showing a pool of blood around the toilet bowl, Mr Dixon claimed the magazine rack was close to the toilet when Ms Steenkamp was shot dead.
"The accused said to this court it definitely wasn't there, are you giving a version that is against the accused's version?", Mr Nel demanded. "Can the accused be right, if you're right? He said the magazine rack was definitely not there. Then he must be wrong. You're his witness," Mr Nel demanded.
"My lady, my reconstruction of the events on that toilet are based on the evidence that I can see and measure, and that has been recorded by other people," Mr Dixon told the court. Last week, the athlete told the court that, in retrospect, he confused the sound of the magazine rack moving for a door opening, which convinced him an intruder was about to attack him before he opened fire. The state claims he heard the magazine move after shooting Ms Steenkamp in the hip and deliberately changed aim to hit her.
But Mr Nel continued: "Can the accused be right, if you're right? He said the magazine rack was definitely not there. Then he must be wrong. You're his witness."
Pistorius claims he heard the sound of "wood" moving inside the toilet before he opened fire, which convinced him an intruder was coming out the door to attack him.
Last week, the athlete told the court that, in retrospect, he confused the sound of the magazine rack moving for a door opening. The state claims he heard the magazine move after shooting Ms Steenkamp in the hip and deliberately changed aim to hit her.
Mr Dixon, who began testifying on Tuesday, also challenged the state's ballistic expert, Captain Chris Mangena, who claimed Ms Steenkamp was first shot in the hip facing the toilet door, fell backwards and was struck in the arm and head as she tried to protect herself from the bullets.Mr Dixon, who began testifying on Tuesday, also challenged the state's ballistic expert, Captain Chris Mangena, who claimed Ms Steenkamp was first shot in the hip facing the toilet door, fell backwards and was struck in the arm and head as she tried to protect herself from the bullets.
At the time, he noted there could have been short break between the first and the second shot, giving her time to scream, which appears to back the state's case that Pistorius fired at the door, heard Ms Steenkamp fall down and deliberately changed position.At the time, he noted there could have been short break between the first and the second shot, giving her time to scream, which appears to back the state's case that Pistorius fired at the door, heard Ms Steenkamp fall down and deliberately changed position.
In stark contrast, Mr Dixon told the court the 29-year old law graduate was standing at an angle to the door with her "arm forward towards the handle", suggesting she was about to open the toilet door, when four quick shots struck her in quick succession as she was "falling and turning".In stark contrast, Mr Dixon told the court the 29-year old law graduate was standing at an angle to the door with her "arm forward towards the handle", suggesting she was about to open the toilet door, when four quick shots struck her in quick succession as she was "falling and turning".
The court also heard sound recordings of a cricket bat striking a door and gunshots fired through a door as the defence sought to prove the sounds are similar and could be confused.The court also heard sound recordings of a cricket bat striking a door and gunshots fired through a door as the defence sought to prove the sounds are similar and could be confused.
"Your expertise [in the test] was wielding the cricket bat?" Nel asked Mr Dixon, to which the forensic geologist replied: "My part of that test was to wield the cricket bat to produce the sound.""Your expertise [in the test] was wielding the cricket bat?" Nel asked Mr Dixon, to which the forensic geologist replied: "My part of that test was to wield the cricket bat to produce the sound."
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 fired 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 fired at the door knowing Ms Steenkamp was inside.
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.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.
Yesterday, Mr Nel questioned his qualifications and criticised him for testifying outside his field of expertise. Mr Dixon conceded he did not have qualifications in ballistics or pathology.Yesterday, Mr Nel questioned his qualifications and criticised him for testifying outside his field of expertise. Mr Dixon conceded he did not have qualifications in ballistics or pathology.
"Are you a sound expert, sir?" asked Mr Nel. "Have you received training in decibels and sound?""Are you a sound expert, sir?" asked Mr Nel. "Have you received training in decibels and sound?"
Mr Dixon conceded he had not received specific training in sound.Mr Dixon conceded he had not received specific training in sound.
He also admitted the gunshot test had to be repeated because the firearm kept jamming, and noted they did not use the same ammunition as Pistorius because Black Talon bullets weren't available at the shooting range where the test was performed. Instead, they used Rangers.He also admitted the gunshot test had to be repeated because the firearm kept jamming, and noted they did not use the same ammunition as Pistorius because Black Talon bullets weren't available at the shooting range where the test was performed. Instead, they used Rangers.
Asked about the qualifications of the music producer who recorded the test, Mr Dixon told the court he "had no idea" if he had experience in recording explosions. He also admitted he wasn't present when the second test was carried out.Asked about the qualifications of the music producer who recorded the test, Mr Dixon told the court he "had no idea" if he had experience in recording explosions. He also admitted he wasn't present when the second test was carried out.
In a series of tense exchanges, Mr Nel questioned his integrity and accused him of being "irresponsible" for giving evidence on the model's wounds without reading Ms Steenkamp's post-mortem in detail.In a series of tense exchanges, Mr Nel questioned his integrity and accused him of being "irresponsible" for giving evidence on the model's wounds without reading Ms Steenkamp's post-mortem in detail.
"You see how irresponsible it is to make inferences in areas where you’re not an expert. It’s irresponsible, am I right?," Nel told the court, addressing the witness."You see how irresponsible it is to make inferences in areas where you’re not an expert. It’s irresponsible, am I right?," Nel told the court, addressing the witness.
Earlier today, Judge Masipa told the court she had been informed viewers watching the trial on television feeds next to the main trial room were shouting and cheering at times during the proceedings.Earlier today, Judge Masipa told the court she had been informed viewers watching the trial on television feeds next to the main trial room were shouting and cheering at times during the proceedings.
She warned the premises are "not an entertainment place" and they would be removed if they did not adhere to court protocol.She warned the premises are "not an entertainment place" and they would be removed if they did not adhere to court protocol.
At the start of the trial, court authorities set aside a second, "overflow" room at Pretoria's High Court for reporters and other spectators to watch the trial proceedings on a big screen.At the start of the trial, court authorities set aside a second, "overflow" room at Pretoria's High Court for reporters and other spectators to watch the trial proceedings on a big screen.
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.