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Oscar Pistorius defence calls more witnesses Oscar Pistorius defence calls more witnesses
(35 minutes later)
The defence team in the murder trial of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is calling more witnesses, as it seeks to prove that he shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by mistake.The defence team in the murder trial of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is calling more witnesses, as it seeks to prove that he shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by mistake.
A ballistics expert is expected to take the stand later on Tuesday.A ballistics expert is expected to take the stand later on Tuesday.
The court heard on Monday from two of Mr Pistorius' neighbours - the first people at the scene - who described his frantic efforts to revive Ms Steenkamp.The court heard on Monday from two of Mr Pistorius' neighbours - the first people at the scene - who described his frantic efforts to revive Ms Steenkamp.
The athlete is accused of murdering Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.The athlete is accused of murdering Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.
The South African Paralympic sprinter denies intentionally killing her and says he shot her through a toilet door in a state of panic, mistaking her for an intruder.The South African Paralympic sprinter denies intentionally killing her and says he shot her through a toilet door in a state of panic, mistaking her for an intruder.
The trial adjourned early on Monday after defence lawyer Barry Roux failed to get further witnesses to court following a two-week adjournment over the Easter break.The trial adjourned early on Monday after defence lawyer Barry Roux failed to get further witnesses to court following a two-week adjournment over the Easter break.
At the scene Crying
The athlete's next-door neighbour, Michael Nhlengethwa, told the court on Tuesday that on the night of the shooting he went to the house after hearing a man "crying very loudly".
"I saw Oscar kneeling next to the lady, he was just crying," the witness said.
Defence lawyer Barry Roux earlier established that Mr Nhlengethwa's balcony was approximately 11m (36 feet) from Mr Pistorius' bathroom window.
On Monday, the court heard from the first people Mr Pistorius entrusted with his confession that he had shot his girlfriend - his neighbour Johan Stander and his daughter Carice, who were the first people at the scene.On Monday, the court heard from the first people Mr Pistorius entrusted with his confession that he had shot his girlfriend - his neighbour Johan Stander and his daughter Carice, who were the first people at the scene.
Mr Stander, who lived about 350m (380 yards) from Mr Pistorius, said the athlete "was broken" as he desperately tried to save his girlfriend, sobbing and praying for her life. He was the first person Mr Pistorius called after the shooting.Mr Stander, who lived about 350m (380 yards) from Mr Pistorius, said the athlete "was broken" as he desperately tried to save his girlfriend, sobbing and praying for her life. He was the first person Mr Pistorius called after the shooting.
He implied that he thought Mr Pistorius' reaction showed that the shooting had been a mistake. "I saw the truth that morning and I feel it," he told the court.He implied that he thought Mr Pistorius' reaction showed that the shooting had been a mistake. "I saw the truth that morning and I feel it," he told the court.
He said the athlete told him: "I shot Reeva. I thought she was an intruder, please come quick."He said the athlete told him: "I shot Reeva. I thought she was an intruder, please come quick."
In an emotional testimony, his daughter, Carice Viljoen, told the court she feared the athlete would shoot himself with the gun used to kill Ms Steenkamp.In an emotional testimony, his daughter, Carice Viljoen, told the court she feared the athlete would shoot himself with the gun used to kill Ms Steenkamp.
Ms Viljoen followed the athlete inside his home when he went to get identification documents because she thought he was going to shoot himself, she added.Ms Viljoen followed the athlete inside his home when he went to get identification documents because she thought he was going to shoot himself, she added.
Mr Stander also said there had been several recent break-ins in the private estate where he and Mr Pistorius live.Mr Stander also said there had been several recent break-ins in the private estate where he and Mr Pistorius live.
However, under cross-examination, he accepted that it was a safe place to live.However, under cross-examination, he accepted that it was a safe place to live.
Before the Easter break, the athlete faced several days of cross-examination from the state prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who accused him of using emotional outbursts "as an escape".Before the Easter break, the athlete faced several days of cross-examination from the state prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who accused him of using emotional outbursts "as an escape".
As well as a ballistics expert, the defence is expected to call a psychologist to speak about Mr Pistorius' disability and his acute sense of vulnerability.As well as a ballistics expert, the defence is expected to call a psychologist to speak about Mr Pistorius' disability and his acute sense of vulnerability.
The prosecution has sought to show a pattern of reckless behaviour by the athlete and has argued that a reasonable man would have checked before firing four bullets through a locked door.The prosecution has sought to show a pattern of reckless behaviour by the athlete and has argued that a reasonable man would have checked before firing four bullets through a locked door.
If found guilty, the 27-year-old - a national sporting hero and double amputee dubbed the "blade runner" because of the prosthetic limbs he wears to race - could face life imprisonment.If found guilty, the 27-year-old - a national sporting hero and double amputee dubbed the "blade runner" because of the prosthetic limbs he wears to race - could face life imprisonment.
Ms Steenkamp, 29, was a model, celebrity TV star and law graduate.Ms Steenkamp, 29, was a model, celebrity TV star and law graduate.
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 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.