Oscar Pistorius trial commences in Pretoria, South Africa. Includes Court video.

[Anna]

And,,,, that's it again! adjourned until thurs 8th may. We will be Lucky if it is finished by xmas at this rate

[Tim Invictus]

The defence said they expect to finish there case next tuesday. Then it's just closing arguments from both sides before the judge retires to consider her verdict. Shouldn't be too long now.

[Anna]

The defence said they expect to finish there case next tuesday. Then it's just closing arguments from both sides before the judge retires to consider her verdict. Shouldn't be too long now.

Well, lets hope so Tim.
It has all become a bit boring now that all the main evidence has been heard.
 I don't think he will go to prison and if so, not for long, although in my opinion, a very long sentence is what he deserves undoubtedly.
 I really feel for her family, who have gone through so much pain and grief. 
 

[Wonderfulspam]

He deserves a long stretch in the slammer, but I have the worrying feeling he might not get one.

That would be seriously unfair to Reeva's family seeing as though they, like the rest of us, know the ba****d is as guilty as sin.

They've had to sit through his BS story and fake emotion. If I was Reeva's dad & Oscar got off lightly, I'm not sure I'd be able to resist putting a few bullets in him. I'd use black tallons n'all.

[Tim Invictus]

I agree entirely, Pistorius deserves a long stretch in the .........t slammer in Africa.

I am much more optimistic justice will be done though. I personally think he will get guilty of murder; but surely he must get at least negligent homicide for shooting through a locked door even if he thought it was an intruder. He can get over 5 years for the firearms charges too and up to 15 years for the illegal ammunition!

I think OP will be away for a few decades!

[Brietta]

Well, lets hope so Tim.
It has all become a bit boring now that all the main evidence has been heard.
 I don't think he will go to prison and if so, not for long, although in my opinion, a very long sentence is what he deserves undoubtedly.
 I really feel for her family, who have gone through so much pain and grief. 
 

Thanks for the links which are helping me follow what is happening in court.   

It will be interesting to see what the rest of the defence witnesses have to say on Thursday.  I think Mr Nel has corroborated timing of one 'bang' as described by a defence witness with statements made by witnesses for the prosecution.  Which I think adds to the State's case.
I also think he is tring to discredit claims of police 'theft' in his questioning.  Haven't worked out yet where he is going with that one.

Also, I'm not sure just how impressed the judge will have been with the demonstrations of how OP sounded while crying loudly. 

Also it is worth actually seeing and hearing what is going on rather than relying on newspaper reports.

For example, I had formed the opinion that Roger Dixon who testified for the defence was a buffoon, particularly as Mr Nel's cross examination was so disparaging of him and had him squirming.
I think he was just out of his depth, and was being painfully truthful and reported what he had found, which was contrary to the defence case.
Makes one wonder why the defence could not obtain a more experienced 'expert' witness.

The summing up is going to be very interesting.

I agree with the highlighted sentence.
IMO Oscar Pistorius is as guilty as sin, but he will not pay the full price of his crime, I hope I am wrong.

[Anna]

Thanks for the links which are helping me follow what is happening in court.   

It will be interesting to see what the rest of the defence witnesses have to say on Thursday.  I think Mr Nel has corroborated timing of one 'bang' as described by a defence witness with statements made by witnesses for the prosecution.  Which I think adds to the State's case.
I also think he is tring to discredit claims of police 'theft' in his questioning.  Haven't worked out yet where he is going with that one.

Also, I'm not sure just how impressed the judge will have been with the demonstrations of how OP sounded while crying loudly. 

Also it is worth actually seeing and hearing what is going on rather than relying on newspaper reports.

For example, I had formed the opinion that Roger Dixon who testified for the defence was a buffoon, particularly as Mr Nel's cross examination was so disparaging of him and had him squirming.
I think he was just out of his depth, and was being painfully truthful and reported what he had found, which was contrary to the defence case.
Makes one wonder why the defence could not obtain a more experienced 'expert' witness.

The summing up is going to be very interesting.

I agree with the highlighted sentence.
IMO Oscar Pistorius is as guilty as sin, but he will not pay the full price of his crime, I hope I am wrong.

You are welcome Brietta.
I think the fact that he kept that particular gun by his bed with these cruel bullets, makes it fairly obvious IMO that this was his prepared and intended weapon against an intruder. That alone is pretty damning, In my book.

[Tim Invictus]

25 years to life is my guess. I think that is justice.
Anyone else want to guess?

[Anna]

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJDyfb_Y-iQ
(cant imbed)

Sorry.....Elections are holding up the coverage....I will update when possible

OR

You can catch up here  LIVE

[Anna]

 9th May
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[Brietta]

I admit to bias against Oscar Pistorius but I think the expert witnesses called by the defence are struggling.

Forensic expert Wollie Wolmarans obviously failed to convince that the sound of shots being fired matched the sound of battering a cricket bat against a door. 
Apparently the “whole exercise was a mishap” because the door moved. 

He also managed to trash the evidence given by Roger Dixon with whom he ‘had a few beers’ after the latter had given evidence?? 

Total farce which can best be summed up by his statement "You can't see me but I'm behind the door" as he demonstrated where he thought Reeva was standing when she was killed.

[Tim Invictus]

I admit to bias against Oscar Pistorius but I think the expert witnesses called by the defence are struggling.

Forensic expert Wollie Wolmarans obviously failed to convince that the sound of shots being fired matched the sound of battering a cricket bat against a door. 
Apparently the “whole exercise was a mishap” because the door moved. 

He also managed to trash the evidence given by Roger Dixon with whom he ‘had a few beers’ after the latter had given evidence?? 

Total farce which can best be summed up by his statement "You can't see me but I'm behind the door" as he demonstrated where he thought Reeva was standing when she was killed.

I too have to admit being biased against OP as I am convinced he shot Reeva in a fit of anger. I too have been very unimpressed by the defence's so called 'dream team'.

Roger Dixon contradicted Pistorius evidence and was all but humiliated by Nel in cross examination. Wolmarans stated he wouldn't take any advice from Dixon on ballistics .... something Dixon had testified upon at trial. The gun test was a farce. The cricket bat test was a joke. Their experts seemed often confused and did not take proper notes nor make proper reports!

The defence has not had witnesses ready at lease twice; wasting a lot of court time. I heard no testimony that really challenged the prosecution. The only 'smoking gun' on the defence side was the one Pistorius had in his hand as he murdered Reeva.

I thinking Pistorious is wobbling and is about to take a huge fall!

[Anna]

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[Tim Invictus]

Thank you Anna as always 

[Anna]

Always welcome Tim

I think they are at lunch now