Hi, Wroughead!

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All posts are my own opinion and do not necessarily reflect the views of Random Topics. Differences are allowed here.

Oscar Pistorius to stand trial in March 2014

Athlete nicknamed 'Blade Runner' will stand trial for murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp next March, South African court rules

David Smith in Pretoria
Monday 19 August 2013 11.22 BST

Oscar Pistorius will stand trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in March next year, a court in Pretoria, South Africa, has ruled.

The athlete dubbed the "Blade Runner" retained his composure in the dock as an official crossed the courtroom and handed him a few pages summarising the case against him.

"Some of the state witnesses heard a woman scream, followed by moments of silence, then heard gunshots and then more screaming," reads the state's indictment.

Pistorius admits shooting dead his girlfriend at his luxury home in Pretoria this year but claims he thought she was an intruder and he was acting in self-defence. The case stunned South Africa and fans around the world who regarded the Paralympian as a sporting hero.

...more at link
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/a ... march-2014

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius formally charged and set to stand trial over 'planned murder' of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

Paralympian prays in court as trial is set for March

Nastasya Tay, Pretoria
Monday 19 August 2013



Sharp-suited but sombre-faced, a visibly emotional Oscar Pistorius walked into Pretoria magistrates courtroom C, bowed his head in the dock and prayed.

On what would have been his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp’s 30th birthday, Mr Pistorius was formally indicted for her murder. The charge comes months after the Paralympian gold medallist shot Ms Steenkamp to death with his 9mm pistol through a bathroom door on Valentine’s Day morning.
[...]
The state prosecutor Gerrie Nel announced the “mutually agreed” trial date as 3 March 2014. The indictment specifies two charges: “planned or premeditated” murder, and the illegal possession of ammunition. It describes how prosecution witnesses “heard a woman scream, followed by moments of silence, then heard gunshots and more screaming”. Mr Pistorius has admitted shooting his girlfriend, saying he believed Ms Steenkamp to be an intruder.

...more at link
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 73651.html

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Pistorius, Steenkamp Family Reps 'Talking'
JOHANNESBURG August 20, 2013 (AP)
Associated Press
A lawyer for the family of Oscar Pistorius' slain girlfriend says representatives of the two families are in contact, possibly over an out-of-court settlement that would compensate Reeva Steenkamp's parents for her shooting death.

Dup de Bruyn, the lawyer for the Steenkamp family, said on Tuesday that "the two sides are talking" but declined to comment further because of the delicate situation.

Steenkamp reportedly gave financial help to her parents, Barry and June. She was killed by Pistorius on Feb. 14, with prosecutors indicting the double-amputee Olympian on a charge of premeditated murder Monday.

South Africa's Times newspaper reported Tuesday that lawyers for Pistorius were "desperately trying" to negotiate a settlement with Steenkamp's parents before the athlete's criminal trial in March. The Times said the Steenkamps are seeking around $300,000.





Really? Is this normal in Australia, a civil suit before the criminal? And Why? Seems odd to me.

It seems strange to me that in South Africa a private settlement akin to a charge of wrongful death has come before the trial and not after any result of a trial. I wonder (I'll try to find out) if this has ever happened before.

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Since we are destined to live out our lives in the prison of our minds, our one duty is to furnish it well~Peter Ustinov

Hi Wroughead... don't recall seeing you here for a while... nice to see you.

Please do add anything you find. I am not following this case closely yet.. just pick up on headlines and post them. It would be helpful if a few people were interested enough to discuss it a little.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I have my own theories about this one, won't say now though as until the trial proper begins none of us can begin to speculate as to the outcome.

If I find out anything worthy of the discussion I'll bring it in.

_________________
Since we are destined to live out our lives in the prison of our minds, our one duty is to furnish it well~Peter Ustinov

Oscar Pistorius reportedly seeking settlement with Reeva Steenkamp's family
Tue, Aug 20, 2013 7:51 PM EDT

Oscar Pistorius' lawyers are believed to be discussing a financial settlement with the parents of his former girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp following his indictment for her murder this week.

If Pistorius is convicted of premeditated murder during his trial, which begins on March 3, the Blade Runner would likely face a large civil action payout to Steenkamp's family.

This week's talks between representatives of the Olympic and Paralympic athlete and lawyers for Barry and June Steenkamp are likely an attempt to reach an early settlement, according to the Times of South Africa.

Such an arrangement would mean the grief-stricken parents could potentially receive money more quickly, while Pistorius would be protected from what could be a civil award that has been estimated in the South African press at $300,000.

Reeva Steenkamp is understood to have financially supported her parents before her death, caused by shots fired by Pistorius at his home on February 14.

...more at link
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/olympics-- ... 21572.html

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Oscar Pistorius case: Defence’s forensic experts reconstruct crime scene
Gerald Imray, Associated Press | 03/10/13 11:37 AM ET

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Forensic experts working for Oscar Pistorius have visited the double-amputee Olympian’s upscale villa where he killed his girlfriend to reconstruct the Valentines’ Day crime scene, reattaching the bullet-marked toilet door through which the fatal shots were fired, police said Thursday.

Details of the defence’s forensic specialists’ work, released by The South African Police Service in response to questions from The Associated Press, underlines the crucial importance of the stall door as evidence at Pistorius’s trial early next year, where the athlete faces a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years in prison if convicted of premeditated murder in Reeva Steenkamp’s slaying.

The height of the bullet holes in the door and the trajectory of the four bullets fired by Pistorius from his licensed 9mm handgun into the cubicle should show if the disabled athlete was standing on his prosthetic limbs, as prosecutors maintain, or down on his stumps, as he says, and may help determine if he committed murder.

It is a stark difference in the two sides’ versions of the Feb. 14 killing, though not the only one.

...more at link
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/10/ ... ime-scene/

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I watched a couple of documentaries the latest of which was about a month ago, if I find the link I'll post it - most interesting indeed.

Here is the link to the earlier documentary by the BBC earlier this year if anyone is interested. I think it was our Channel 4 which did the latest docu featuring the dead girl's parents, a really nice couple it seems. If I can track it down I'll post the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj8TF4MrO8Q

_________________
Since we are destined to live out our lives in the prison of our minds, our one duty is to furnish it well~Peter Ustinov

Thank you Wroughead for posting this link! I am interested in this case!

S.Africa's Pistorius hit with two more gun charges
Thursday Nov 21, 2013

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) Oscar Pistorius was served with new indictment papers Wednesday containing two extra charges believed to allege that he recklessly shot his gun out the open sunroof of a car last year and fired someone else's handgun at a restaurant weeks before he killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The double-amputee Olympian has already been indicted on a main charge of murder for the Feb. 14 shooting death of Reeva Steenkamp and another firearm charge for illegal possession of ammunition in his home.

He now faces the two additional charges relating to firing guns in public.

Pistorius will likely face all four charges at his trial starting in March, although his lawyers can argue against the new gun charges being added to his current indictment as the offenses are alleged to have taken place in Johannesburg a different court jurisdiction to Pistorius' fatal shooting of Steenkamp at his upscale villa in the South African capital, Pretoria, in the pre-dawn hours of Valentine's Day.

...more at link
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/ar ... 55&ref=rss

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

This is sooo interesting, I wonder if there is some sort of psychosis going on, fueled by deformity, drugs, alcohol, guns, etc.

Oscar Pistorius Case Update: Trial Set to Begin in 2014 (+Case Summary)
By Zachary Stieber, Epoch Times | January 16, 2014

The Oscar Pistorius trial will start on March 3, 2014–the case and whatever verdict is rendered by the judge–South Africa doesn’t have trial by jury–will be watched closely around the world.

The Olympic running star was indicted on charges of premeditated murder and illegal possession of ammunition in August last year. He is accused of shooting his model girlfriend Reeve Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day.

He claims he shot through the closed bathroom door thinking a burglar was hiding inside and that his model girlfriend was in bed at the time, but he ended up fatally shooting Steenkamp.

Prosecutors, who allege he killed her after an argument, submitted a list of more than 100 witnesses for the trial.


....more at link
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/454617- ... z2qfBF8tLH

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Oscar Pistorius trial to have dedicated 24-hour TV channel

South Africa's top cable provider will launch 'pop-up' channel day before Olympian charged with murdering girlfriend goes in dock

Associated Press in Cape Town
Wednesday 29 January 2014 16.06 GMT

The trial of Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee Olympian charged with murder, will have a dedicated 24-hour television channel in South Africa, the country's top cable provider has said, promising "round-the-clock" coverage of one of the blockbuster stories of the year.

MultiChoice said the temporary "pop-up" channel will launch on 2 March, the day before the Pistorius goes on trial in a high court inPretoria, for killing his girlfriend in his home on Valentine's Day last year.

It is the first time it has launched a channel of this kind to cover a major news event, MultiChoice said. The provider has only had temporary channels on its DSTV network for reality entertainment shows such as Idols and Big Brother. DSTV is also available in other African countries.

The female judge who will preside over the trial has not yet ruled if television cameras will be allowed to record images of court proceedings or if the trial at North Gauteng high court can be carried live.

...more at link
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/j ... CMP=twt_gu

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

‘Blade Runner’ Calls In American Forensic Experts To Help Prepare Defense
01/29/2014

JOHANNESBURG — Oscar Pistorius’ lawyers are working with a team of American forensic specialists to help prepare the double-amputee Olympian’s defense, and likely counter any evidence given by the nearly 50 police officers and criminal experts that prosecutors could call at his murder trial early next year.

The U.S. forensic team is now in South Africa, Pistorius’ spokeswoman told The Associated Press on Tuesday, although she could not give any details of their identities or areas of expertise, or if they would stay for the trial, which begins in March and has been scheduled to last just over two weeks.

“A team of forensic specialists from the United States is currently in the country working with Oscar’s defense team,” spokeswoman Anneliese Burgess said. “We don’t want to go into great detail about this except to stay it is very standard practice to work with specialists from various fields in preparation for any trial.”

Burgess said the team of specialists visited the house where Pistorius is staying accompanied by his lawyers on Monday, according to the South African Press Association.

Pistorius will go on trial at the North Gauteng High Court in the South African capital Pretoria from Mar. 3, accused of premeditated murder in the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his house on Feb. 14. The 26-year-old athlete, for years the inspiring poster image of disabled sport, faces a possible life sentence with a minimum of 25 years in prison if convicted. He could also be convicted of a lesser murder charge that has a 15-year mandatory sentence, or even of culpable homicide or negligent killing, which has a 5-year prison term in South Africa if a firearm is used.

...more at link
http://www.wildabouttrial.com/one_off/b ... e-defense/

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Prosecutors change Pistorius murder argument
8:26am February 21, 2014

South African prosecutors who have accused Oscar Pistorius of murder now admit he may not have had his prostheses on when he fired the shots that killed his girlfriend, removing a key argument for premeditation.

According to a document obtained by local television news channel eNCA, the state's own ballistics expert believes Paralympic star Pistorius was "most likely" on his stumps when he shot Reeva Steenkamp through the bathroom door.

During an extensive bail hearing, prosecutors had argued that Pistorius took time to put on his prosthetic legs before firing the shots through the locked bathroom door, showing he was not panicked by the prospect of an intruder.

Pistorius, who goes on trial March 3, denies the charge of murder and says he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder.

...more at link
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/2014/0 ... r-argument

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

hmmmm interesting about the "legs" but I imagine he still got around without them. I wonder how this changes the trajectory? IMO shooting thru a closed door when you are not alone sounds off...

Oscar Pistorius 'looked at porn in hours before' he shot model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
Feb 23, 2014 21:10
By Josh Layton

Oscar Pistorius looked at porn in the hours before he shot his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead, it was claimed tonight.

The Blade Runner is said to have viewed X-rated material on his mobile phone, which was recovered at his home in Pretoria.

A court document is purported to show that he had looked at porn and used car websites ‘in the hours before’ he shot Steenkamp, according to reports in the South African media.

The papers allegedly say: “The accused’s website activities from the time they were at home is in direct contrast to that of a loving couple spending time together.”

South African media reports suggested the State would rely on 13 facts to prove Pistorius’s guilt - and his mobile phone browsing history would be part of the case.

...more at link
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/os ... z2uCOrRh00

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Judge rules most of Oscar Pistorius trial can be televised

Judge Dunstan Mlambo said cameras would be allowed "to obtain a video and audio recording" of opening arguments, the evidence of state witnesses, closing arguments and the verdict and sentencing. But cameras will not be allowed to film Oscar Pistorius, witnesses for the defence, or anyone else who objects to appearing on camera.

Agence France-Presse | Last updated on Tuesday, 25 February 2014 18:26

Pretoria: A South African judge ruled Tuesday that most of Oscar Pistorius's trial for the 2013 murder of his girlfriend can be broadcast live, but not the Paralympian's own testimony. Judge Dunstan Mlambo said cameras would be allowed "to obtain a video and audio recording" of opening arguments, the evidence of state witnesses, closing arguments and the verdict and sentencing. But cameras will not be allowed to film Pistorius, witnesses for the defence, or anyone else who objects to appearing on camera, he added. A live audio broadcast will be allowed throughout the trial, which is due to open on Monday.

....more at link
http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/athl ... -televised

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light