I'm new to Web Sleuths, so I'm just going to jump in and hope I'm posting in the right place!
(1) I read Mr Fossil's suggestion that the source of the first sounds could have been gunshots fired out the window, and wondered if it could be from the air-rifle being fired out a window. Air-rifles use pellets, don't they? So there wouldn't be any expended cartridges. I've got no idea whether an air-rifle shot could be confused with a pistol shot.
(2) I remember at some stage during cross-examination, Pistorius sort of slipped and said something along the lines of that if the Stipps saw the light on during/after the first shots, then they would be wrong - I can't remember the exact words. I can't go back and check the trial video as we're on a temporary internet connection and it's slow. Does anyone else remember him saying something like that? I seem to remember he said 'first shots' rather than 'first bangs' or 'first sounds'. But I could be wrong!
Finally, (and I apologise for being all over the place) I was looking up the Cassidy Taylor-Memmory incident and found an article dated 9 February 2011 (here's the link:
http://www.sport24.co.za/OtherSport/Athletics/Pistorius-sues-woman-for-R22m-20110209).
Pistorius had been taken into custody over that incident. Here is a sentence that stood out to me: "Pistorius says that he had felt threatened, humiliated, scared and vulnerable because of the complaint, arrest and being in custody." Sounds familiar!
Hi Adelaide and welcome!
BIB1: I think the important bit for me is that if Johnson's call time is wrong (and even he was doubtful about it) then it's quite possible to take the Stipps' testimony at face value (Masipa treats it as unreliable), which means that the first sounds that they hear would come before the shots which kill Reeva. This is also consistent with Christo Menelaou's account (although he wasn't called as a witness). The first sounds don't have to be gunshots but I speculate that may be.
Key questions explores this, amongst other things. The air rifle is a possibility (as are many things) but I see OP picking up the gun and brandishing it about, firing it (not to specifically to frighten Reeva but to say he can do as he likes, which of course does frighten Reeva) and the rest follows. I don't see him swapping weapons or even deliberately going to fetch the gun.
If anyone's testimony is likely to be unreliable it is that of Burger and Johnson, purely because of the elapsed time before they make any notes and a statement (6 March). During this time they discuss everything with each other, friends and colleagues, listen to the bail proceedings and read and listen to the media. This potential unreliability is further explored in, for instance, 'One or two sets of helps?' in
Key questions.
BIB2: Here's the bit about the lights in cross examination (page 514 in the
transcript) and you are correct about OP's reference to first shots (first shooting, to be precise). Well spotted. I've added a reference into
Key questions and credited you:
Nel: No. Both said, immediately after the shots, when they looked, the lights were on. Both. Take it from me. Why? They said the lights were on. Even on your version, excepting what they said, the lights were on?
OP: That is correct, M'Lady. I think they did…I think they both did say that, M'Lady.
Nel: So, they must be lying?
OP: They must be, M'Lady. I do not remember the lights being on and I cannot remember when I switched the lights on, as I have said before.
Nel: That is a good answer. ‘I cannot remember the lights being on.’ That is what you said?
OP: That is correct, M'Lady.
Nel: Is it possible that the lights were on?
OP: No. After the shooting, I do not know when I put the lights on. So they said, immediately after the shooting, we worked through their time frame and remem….if I remember correctly, what Mr Stipp tried to put in as moments, became 10 minutes. That is why I am asking.
Nel: No. You see, this is now the best part of your argument. There is no way, that Mr Stipp’s moments for the lights, became 10 minutes. Why do you say that?
OP: I did not follow that question, I am sorry.
Nel: You said, ‘moments for Mr Stipp became 10 minutes’?
OP: It was Mr Stipp...[intervenes]
Nel: That is what you said?
OP: It was Mr Stipp or Mrs Stipp’s evidence, M'Lady.
Nel: No, it is...[intervenes]
OP: Where time was not a rel…was not of any relevance. It was not...[intervenes]
Nel: No...[intervenes]
OP: There was not a set point. If I remember their evidence, they said they heard, what was put to me on Friday, was that there was shouting between the gunshots, which was on the state’s version. But the cricket bat and the gunshots are different on their versions. When I was hitting the door with the cricket bat, I was crying out. I was screaming. So, I do not say Mr and Mrs Stipp are lying when they said that.
Nel: We dealing with the lights, sir. I know you want to argue and that has been how you have been giving your evidence. They must be lying about the light?
OP: They said they heard…they said they saw the lights on immediately
after the shooting, M'Lady.
Nel: Yes?
OP:
If that was the first shooting, that is incorrect.
[Fossil: interesting expressions used by OP, especially 'first' shooting]
Nel: Then they heard screaming, as far as they were concerned, between the two shots they have heard. Was that also you?
OP: On the state’s evidence of the gunfire, or on the first shots?