General Discussion Thread #1 -Bail Hearing

[Lola]

Karyn Maughan is in the court - so far nothing from her.

Shahan Ramkissoon ‏@ShahanR
The NPA's @BulelwaMak will speak to us live at 11AM for more clarity on the reinstatement of charges against Botha.

 

[Peliman]

It's 11am in South Africa now, should we expect this thing to get started shortly?

11:03 - David Smith tweets: More chaos in Pretoria as officials have no clue how to handle media interest. Had to sprint up four flights of stairs and scrape into court.

11:01 - Court official reminds media there is to be no LIVE streaming of arguments but we can record audio and run later.

11:00 - Everyone told to take seats.

Live updates at link

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/LIVE-UPDATES-Pistorius-bail-hearing-day-3-20130221

 

[Wondergirl]

What is going on behind the scenes for this to have happened? It absolutely reeks.

 

[Peliman]

Alex Eliseev ‏@alexeliseev
RT @AdriaanBasson: New ace team of detectives for #OscarPistorius murder case in court, incl experienced sleuth Mike van Aardt

 

[Lola]

16 m ago via Guardian --
Jacaranda FM are now reporting that Hilton Botha and the police have both denied dropping Botha from the case.

But the police will be bringing in a "provincial task force" to "bolster" the prosecution's case against Pistorius, the radio station says.

 

[Peliman]

What is going on behind the scenes for this to have happened? It absolutely reeks.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Police-to-probe-Pistorius-cops-charges-20130221

 

[Lola]

Guardian

Pistorius has arrived in the courtroom

 

[Carol70]

EWN Reporter‏@ewnreporter

#OscarPistorius Prosecutor Gerrie Nel is seated and ready. We wait for Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair. BB

 

[Lola]

Peliman's link seems to be the best. clearly barrybateman and karynmaughan are having trouble getting their tweets out...or it's my link. (i'm in n. africa)

 

[Lola]

11:15 - Aislinn Laing says: Flurry of last minute legal visits to Pistorius... Custody officers and lawyers seem worried.

 

[Carol70]

Peliman's link seems to be the best. clearly barrybateman and karynmaughan are having trouble getting their tweets out...or it's my link. (i'm in n. africa)

My tweets are also being delayed- so annoying.

 

[squeaky]

pistorius is breaking twitter lol

 

[Lola]

#OscarPistorius enters the dock. He stands, staring at Nair. BB

#OscarPistorius Nair enters the court. The photographers are filing out. The accused will be called soon. BB

 

[Carol70]

EWN Reporter‏@ewnreporter

#OscarPistorius enters the dock. He stands, staring at Nair. BB

 

[Carol70]

less than 1m ago


My colleague David Smith reports that Pistorius's father Henke is in his usual seat on the front row. The defendant's brother, Carl, looks "relaxed and upbeat", David says.

 

[Carol70]

EWN Reporter‏@ewnreporter

#OscarPistorius Nel says he wants to address three issues before we start. BB

 

[Lola]

#OscarPistorius a woman wants to bring an application in court. Details not clear. BB

#OscarPistorius Nel says he wants to address three issues before we start. BB

 

[Lola]

#OscarPistorius Counsel believe this matter shouldn't be entertained. The woman says her matter relates to Oscar's mental state. BB

 

[Estelle]

Twitter comments

Christopher Stride‏@StrideChris

Isn't this a bail hearing? Is he a flight risk or not? Will he adhere to bail conditions? Why are we reviewing evidence? #oscarpistorious

Graeme Hosken‏@GraemeHosken

#OscarPistorious prosecutor: u don't fire four times into a minute bathroom just to scare - this was planned - the facts show this

Cornel van Heerden‏@CornelvHeerden

Investigating Officer Botha dropped from #oscarpistorious case. Dodgy timing! Happened in 2011.
Followed by Barry Bateman and 3 others

rachel callachor‏@rachelcallachor

By all reports Botha was woeful yday under cross exam. - maybe this is a (harsh!!) way to get him out off the witness box?! #OscarPistorious

Ojoma Ochai‏@ojomaochai

I foresee a Sun Newspaper headline in a few months *Miracle! #oscarpistorious walks*


Matlala Setlhalogile‏@MatlalaS

The #OscarPistorious saga seems to have reignited the racial polarisation. It seems most approach it from a racial perspective.

Nkosinathi Nyandeni‏@Mnathero

If Oscar had called the police before he fired the shot, then we wouldn't be so worked up #OscarPistorious


Daily Mirror‏@DailyMirror

Lead detective Hilton Botha sensationally DROPPED from the case over seven attempted murder charges http://bit.ly/YCUeBW #OscarPistorius

LadyJustice‏@ladyjustice323

I'm afraid, Hilton Botha is a red herring in the #OscarPistorius case. There is much more going on here w/ Reeva's murder than meets the eye

James Quigley‏@JamesQ1986

Hilton Botha dropped from the OP case, can't help but thinking that's come a day too late for the prosecution. #OscarPistorius

Real Radio News SCOT‏@RealScotNews

#Pistorius:National Prosecuting Authority say Hilton Botha "cannot continue with this case" after attempted murder charges emerged.

Neil Crossley‏@Neilgerard

How was Hilton Botha EVER on the Oscar Pistorius case in the first place #farce

Sky News Newsdesk‏@SkyNewsBreak

South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority says police have no choice but to drop Hilton Botha from the Pistorius case

andy_s_64‏@andy_s_64

Plot thickens like pea soup: Hilton Botha charges were reinstated yesterday afternoon or on Feb 4th. Depending on who you believe...

Nathan Tyler‏@Nathan1Sky

S.A Prosecutors 'unaware of the charges against Hilton Botha when they put him on stand to explain why Pistorius should not be given bail'

Ilse Smalberger‏@Ilse123

I despair of our police service, I really do. The defence made Hilton Botha look like an amateur, which he probably is #OscarPistorius



Karyn Maughan‏@karynmaughan

Am hearing that SAPS will assign #OscarPistorius case to a provincial task team, following Botha debacle. @eNCAnews

17 minsKaryn Maughan‏@karynmaughan

NPA's communication officer @BulelwaMak now said to be meeting with #OscarPistorius prosecutions team over Botha. He is at court @eNCAnews

Bunmie Zoë Radioo‏@BunmieZoeRadioo

Hilton Botha also admitted he/police has/have no evidence 2 discredit Oscar's #OscarPistorius version of events. The drama continues

Suna Venter‏@sunav

#oscarpistorius We are hearing that case may be elevated to provincial level due to Hilton Botha debacle. Awaiting confirmation from SAPS


David Smith‏@SmithInAfrica

More chaos in Pretoria as officials have no clue how to handle media interest. Had to sprint up four flights of stairs and scrape into court

andrew harding‏@BBCAndrewH

VP of law society here tells me #OscarPistorius still has "long battle ahead." But predicts bail will be granted. Defence had "v good day."

Findlay‏@SJFindlay

Uncle Arnold #Pistorius, sister Aimee, brother Carl and father Henke sitting in courtroom. Carl greeted his father with a big hug

Mark‏@Canten1

The #pistorius case is getting so messy. If he doesn't get bail now I'd be surprised.

Princess Laula Mzamo‏@GodsGorgeousGal

RT @MyNews24: RT @Simmoa: Custody officer tells me #Pistorius in crying softly as he waits in the holding cell to ... http://m.tmi.me/LgRMP

Aislinn Laing ‏@Simmoa

Flurry of last minute legal visits to #Pistorius.Am standing next to the door he'll come through.Custody officers& lawyers seem worried

Gin & Cornflakes‏@gin_cornflakes

Only in SA cld lead prosecutor be facing murder charges... Worth following opening exchanges of #pistorius lawyer this morning...

Ben Morgan‏@benmtweets

When the police and the criminals are the same, you're in trouble. #pistorius

Anita Powell‏@6ArmsPowell

and another twist in the already unbelievable #Pistorius case ... someone has filed a motion ... more details in a sec



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#Pistorius

 

[Lola]

#OscarPistorius Nair - I've afforded you the opportunity to speak, even though I didn't invite you to. BB