This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial-athlete-was-heartbroken-after-shooting-9337841.html

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Oscar Pistorius trial: Athlete was 'heartbroken' after shooting Oscar Pistorius trial: Athlete 'never said sorry for what he did'
(about 1 hour later)
The social worker who assessed Oscar Pistorius in the aftermath of Reeva Steenkamp's fatal shooting described the athlete as a "heartbroken man", his murder trial heard. Oscar Pistorius was accused of failing to apologise for shooting girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, his murder trial heard.
Taking the stand, Yvette van Schalkwyk told Pretoria's High Court she was requested to monitor Pistorius' behaviour and provide emotional support for the athlete during his bail application last year.Taking the stand, Yvette van Schalkwyk told Pretoria's High Court she was requested to monitor Pistorius' behaviour and provide emotional support for the athlete during his bail application last year.
She told the court: "What I saw was a man that was heartbroken about the loss. He cried, he was in mourning, he was suffering emotionally, he was very sorry for the loss especially for her parents." She told the court Pistorius was a "heartbroken" man and was "barely coping" as his defence sought to corroborate his emotions in court are real and his feelings of remorse are sincere.
The athlete's defence sought to corroborate his emotions in court, where has cried and even vomited at the sight of graphic evidence, are real and his feelings of remorse are sincere. In cross examination, state prosecutor Gerrie Nel accused her of adapting her evidence and feeling "sorry for him", insisting that his emotions are "all about him" and he did not explicitly apologise for killing Ms Steenkamp.
Ms van Schalkwyk initially turned down the defence's request to testify in his murder trial last year, but decided to give evidence after the athlete was accused of faking his emotions in court. "Being a probation officer, having done lots of reports, the first thing you look for is somebody saying 'I'm sorry for what I've done.'", Mr Nel demanded.
She added: "What upset me was that they said he had acting training, that he just put on a show and started crying when it was needed." Ms van Schalkwyk conceded that Pistorius did not mention the words "I'm sorry for what I did", but insisted that his emotions were those of a heartbroken man and he expressed concern for the Steenkamps and their loss.
State prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who previously suggested the athlete turned to crying to avoid tough questions, objected to her testimony, but was overruled by Judge Masipa on the basis of character judgement. She added: "It was never 'What's going to happen to me? Will I get bail?' That was never an issue. It was about the heartbreak of this man, the trauma, I can't state that it was all about him."
"Remember, you may not have said this in so many words, but you did ask him something like: Are you using the emotional thing as an excuse?'", she told Mr Nel. Earlier in her evidence, Ms van Schalkwyk told the court she sat with Pistorius in his prison cell and saw him vomit and cry "80 per cent of the time". She said he was traumatised and emotionally stressed.
Continuing her evidence, Ms van Schalkwyk told the court she sat with Pistorius in his prison cell and saw him vomit and cry. She said he was a "heartbroken man", traumatised and emotionally stressed.
Ms van Schalkwyk, who filed reports on the athlete's mental state on a weekly basis after he was released on bail last year, said the athlete was "fully compliant" and continued his therapy as requested.Ms van Schalkwyk, who filed reports on the athlete's mental state on a weekly basis after he was released on bail last year, said the athlete was "fully compliant" and continued his therapy as requested.
She denied reports that Pistorius was "suicidal" after the shooting, but insisted that he was still suffering emotional and physical reactions as a result of the shooting.She denied reports that Pistorius was "suicidal" after the shooting, but insisted that he was still suffering emotional and physical reactions as a result of the shooting.
In cross examination, Mr Nel accused her of adapting her evidence and feeling "sorry for him", insisting that his emotions are "all about him" and he did not apologise for killing Ms Steenkamp.
Ms van Schalkwyk insisted: "It was never 'What's going to happen to me? Will I get bail?' That was never an issue. It was about the heartbreak of this man, the trauma, I can't state that it was all about him."
But Mr Nel continued: "Being a probation officer, having done lots of reports, the first thing you look for is somebody saying 'I'm sorry for what I've done.'"
Pistorius is accused of murdering his girlfriend 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 his girlfriend 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.
South Africa does not have trial by jury, meaning Judge Thokozile Masipa will decide Pistorius' fate with the help of two assessors.South Africa does not have trial by jury, meaning Judge Thokozile Masipa will decide Pistorius' fate with the help of two assessors.
The murder trial continues.The murder trial continues.