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Oscar Pistorius trial: Athlete 'never said sorry for what he did' Oscar Pistorius trial: Athlete 'devastated' by shooting
(about 1 hour later)
Oscar Pistorius was accused of failing to apologise for shooting girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, his murder trial heard. A surprise witness told Oscar Pistorius's murder trial that the athlete was genuinely "heartbroken" after shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead.
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. Social worker and probation officer Yvette van Schalkwyk said she came forward as a witness when she read reports accusing the Paralympian of taking acting lessons and crying for the cameras prior to giving evidence.
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. Taking the stand, Ms Van Schalkwyk, who monitored Pistorius's behaviour in the weeks following Ms Steenkamp's death, said he was "barely coping" and described him as a "heartbroken man" as his defence sought to corroborate his emotions in court are real and his remorse is 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. "What I saw, from the first time I saw him, was a man who was heartbroken... He cried, he was in mourning, he suffered emotionally," she told Pretoria's High Court, adding that he cried "80 per cent of the time".
Continuing her evidence, Ms Van Schalkwyk said that she first met the athlete in his prison cell on 15 February, the day after he shot and killed his girlfriend, and he was traumatised and emotionally unwell. She saw him vomit twice and repeatedly said he "missed" Ms Steenkamp.
However, under 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.
"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."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.
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.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.
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."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."
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.
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.
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.