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Pistorius trial: Doubts raised over ballistics evidence | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A ballistics expert at the murder trial of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has questioned the state's version of how he shot his girlfriend. | |
Defence witness Tom Wolmarans says wounds show Reeva Steenkamp may have been standing when first shot. | |
The double-amputee Paralympian denies intentionally shooting Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year. | The double-amputee Paralympian denies intentionally shooting Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year. |
The prosecution alleges he shot her dead after a row and that she was cowering from him in the toilet. | The prosecution alleges he shot her dead after a row and that she was cowering from him in the toilet. |
He says he accidentally shot her through the toilet door in a state of panic, mistaking the 29-year-old model and law graduate for an intruder. | |
'Home sold' | |
Mr Wolmarans, a former police officer, says all four shots hit Ms Steenkamp. | |
The state alleges one missed and ricocheted off a wall and injured her back and that the final bullet hit her hand and head as she was sitting in a defensive position. | |
But Mr Wolmarans said splinter evidence showed the model was leaning forward towards the door when the first bullet hit her hip. | |
The next bullet hit her arm, the third bullet her hand and the last bullet hit her head as she was falling backwards, he said. | |
On Thursday the court heard evidence about when Ms Steenkamp may have eaten her last meal. | On Thursday the court heard evidence about when Ms Steenkamp may have eaten her last meal. |
Prof Christina Lundgren, an anaesthetist, described when a stomach is likely to be emptied after eating. | Prof Christina Lundgren, an anaesthetist, described when a stomach is likely to be emptied after eating. |
She said the prosecution's argument that Ms Steenkamp's stomach would have been empty if she had eaten when Mr Pistorius said she had done was "pure speculation". | She said the prosecution's argument that Ms Steenkamp's stomach would have been empty if she had eaten when Mr Pistorius said she had done was "pure speculation". |
Social worker Yvette van Schalkwyk, who also gave evidence on Thursday, said Mr Pistorius was "heartbroken" after the killing. | Social worker Yvette van Schalkwyk, who also gave evidence on Thursday, said Mr Pistorius was "heartbroken" after the killing. |
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Mr Pistorius, 27, has sold his home in the Silverwoods Estate where Ms Steenkamp died. | |
He put the house on the market at the end of March in order to fund his legal costs, one of his lawyers said at the time. | |
An estate agent confirmed to South Africa's Beeld newspaper that a sale was under way. | |
The trial started at the beginning of March and was expected to last five weeks. The defence has said that it hopes to wrap up its case by 16 May. | |
If found guilty, Mr Pistorius - a national sporting hero dubbed the "blade runner" because of the prosthetic limbs he wears to race - could face life imprisonment. | If found guilty, Mr Pistorius - a national sporting hero dubbed the "blade runner" because of the prosthetic limbs he wears to race - could face life imprisonment. |
If he 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 he is acquitted of murder, the court must consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could receive about 15 years in prison. |
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. |
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