Trial Discussion Thread #21 - 14.04.09, Day 19

[BritsKate]

Rebecca Davis ‏@becsplanb 1m
Is there any place on earth lonelier than the witness stand under cross-examination? (I suppose a prison cell not exactly convivial)

https://twitter.com/becsplanb

 

[MeeBee]

Bit of a trick Nel pulled there. :wink:

If someone's shooting and they say that was a zombie-stopper, it means you've made a volley of good shots (i.e. that would stop zombies).

It's something guy's would say when playing Call of Duty and similar.

That's how I'm taking the phrase.

 

[G.bng]

Stopper. This is the footage in question. Little wonder Roux wants it kept out.

http://news.sky.com/story/1218645/pistorius-at-gun-range-exclusive-pictures

And if it isn't allowed in as OP is under oath it may be he could find himself caught out by perjury rules, so maybe best let it in?

 

[zwiebel]

This is the video apparently
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VWDIlSMTMc

Ah, thanks. In the context of this case, it is unfortunate. I'm not so sure it would sway a judge into assuming premeditated murder though......

 

[steveml]

Imo, doesn't really matter now, Nel has already highlighted the video and there are probably 10k people watching it as I type this lol.

Haha, that's so true. :smile:

 

[Really?]

Bit of a trick Nel pulled there. :wink:

If someone's shooting and they say that was a zombie-stopper, it means you've made a volley of good shots (i.e. that would stop zombies).

It's something guy's would say when playing Call of Duty and similar.

lol.......where was the trick? He asked a question and OP lied....

 

[BritsKate]

Adjournment til 11.30 SA time. Parties in chambers.

 

[MeeBee]

lol.......where was the trick? He asked a question and OP lied....

How did he lie?

 

[canny]

From that article:

'A voice which sounds very much like Pistorius' is heard remarking afterwards "It's not as soft as brains but f*** it is a zombie stopper", as his friends shriek in delight.'

This is one spooky video but OP denied every hearing about these words or taking part in this thrill seeking adventure, once again he has been caught lying under oath on the stand.

 

[G.bng]

What the flipperty flip is a Zombie thingumidoo?

Think it may refer to the Black Tallon bullets... or even the gun itself! The quote from Sky is:

"He is seen firing at a water melon which explodes as the athlete hits it right in the centre.

A voice which sounds very much like Pistorius' is heard remarking afterwards "It's not as soft as brains but f*** it is a zombie stopper", as his friends shriek in delight."​

 

[zwiebel]

What I noticed - when Nel went in hard with his cross, OP did not crumble. Maybe, even, had to struggle not to get angry? I now think Nel may be able to cause OP to lose his temper and his cool on the stand, and maybe make mistakes.

 

[katydid23]

I think it is great that Nel is trying to throw OP off balance totally by coming right at him. I am surprised because i predicted, WRONGLY, that Nel was going to ease into his cross. LOL Not one little bit of easing into his cross this morning. It has been full tilt boogie all the way.

 

[katydid23]

Imo, doesn't really matter now, Nel has already highlighted the video and there are probably 10k people watching it as I type this lol.

Including My Lady and her two assessors. lol

 

[MeeBee]

This is one spooky video but OP denied every hearing about these words or taking part in this thrill seeking adventure, once again he has been caught lying under oath on the stand.

He didn't lie and I don't think Nel is even implying it. OP said he doesn't know what a zombie stopper is. He used the phrase once and then might have forgotten about saying it. He may have thought Nel was asking about an actual object called a zombie stopper. OP is the one who offered to have the video played so he could better answer the question. Don't see how someone who is lying or obfuscating would do that.

 

[beach]

There's some that argue this is the sole reason for the firearm charges - it was the only way the State could show such a pattern because of the rules on character evidence.

My understanding anyway as a not-a-paralegal.

I haven't followed (or moderated) many international trials here at WS. I followed the Knox case a little but Italy's system is SO different, I stayed confused and frustrated. To my surprise, the South African system is very, very similar to the U.S. procedurally speaking. The obvious glaring difference is no jury trial.

 

[MsY]

Bit of a trick Nel pulled there. :wink:

If someone's shooting and they say that was a zombie-stopper, it means you've made a volley of good shots (i.e. that would stop zombies).

It's something guy's would say when playing Call of Duty and similar.

Would it be ok for me to use what you've just said on my own twitter account?

Its ok if not. Its nice to throw it out there for those who don't know this though.

 

[Gavel Rash]

I think it is great that Nel is trying to throw OP off balance totally by coming right at him. I am surprised because i predicted, WRONGLY, that Nel was going to ease into his cross. LOL Not one little bit of easing into his cross this morning. It has been full tilt boogie all the way.

After 21/2 days of sheer drivel from Oscar...it's going to get 'meaty' from here on.

 

[Really?]

How did he lie?

Nel asked him does he or has he heard of a zombie stopper....and OP said........"no...:drumroll:

 

[kaos]

I suppose Roux could argue that as you can't see the person whose saying it then it could just as easily have been one of his friends uttering the words.

 

[steveml]

The defence did .. and I think it's a bit much they are allowed to do that but the prosecution are not allowed to show the zombie stopper vid. They are not presenting the zombi stopper vid as evidence, they are presenting it just to show what is meant by zombi stopper. I can't see what the problem is with showing it .. seems like this one little thing is going to take up so much time now :facepalm:

I agree. I don't think either should have been introduced though. Roux's probably opened the door himself on this one with the other pointless vid.

Just a waste of court time.

:smile: