Trial Discussion Thread #21 - 14.04.09, Day 19

[zwiebel]

R: You said there is a lot of things that counsel didn't put in it that they should?

O: I cannot think of-off the top of my head it would be Reeva speaking to me as I sat up in bed...phoning Baba...I guess there is a lot things.

 

[Val1]

Surely that's something to be pursued and examined after trial, when a verdict has been issued. Not something for Nel to decide?

He's not a psychologist as far as I'm aware.

Are you saying that as the prosecutor he doesn't have the right to confront the perpetrator with the evidence from the crime that he's being charged with?

 

[jay-jay]

O: My version's never changed....since the bail statement, my version hasn't changed.

Goes on to say his counsel told him he wasn't stable at the time. 'The state's case has changed many times'

And there he goes. He's arguing and Nel asks why.

Roux's up to save his client.

Oooh, blame shifting .. again!

 

[zwiebel]

N: Did you put the fans onto the balcony, or just the ??? one?

OP:....I put one leg out on the tiles of the balcony...more or less in the middle of the doors. The othere underneath it....

R: YOu never went onto the balcony. So you were never out on the balcony when you heard noise?

O: No..It would not be true (in answer to "were you out on the balcony when you heard the noise'

OP says he was by the led light when he heard the noise.

ETA: Didn't mean that grinning face to appear in my post! Typo!

 

[kaos]

Nel trying to get him to say what things he's added in since the bail hearing.

He's quick to point out that his statement didn't have to be detailed at the bail hearing - as if he's doing the court a favour by even giving one.

 

[04009margaret]

There's a lot of info on multi twitter feeds that Steenkamp's family was prepared/did know/do understand why photo was shown. Pistorius family very visibly upset.

http://www.channel4.com/news/pistorius-trial-murder-watch-live-video

Reeva's family only want the truth, I think they would approve in the whatever it takes attitude

 

[james83]

2013 I went onto the balcony to collect a fan
2014 if somebody said I was on the balcony to collect the fans that was a lie

 

[zwiebel]

N: I've got a problem. Why did you say you were out on the balcony?

And here we go again. O argues he wants to see his bail statement, where it is?

And Nel points out he didn't say it was in the bail statement. How does OP know it is in there?

N: Mr P, please answer the questions and don't argue...if you argue you'll get into trouble.

 

[MsY]

Not sure if I am allowed to post this? Photo of her head wound as published by our very popular local magazine YOU. http://you.co.za/news/warning-graphic-images-of-reevas-head-in-court/

Very Graphic
(please adjust or delete if not allowed)

 

[zwiebel]

OP is treating this as a competition/race between him and the prosecutor....

 

[04009margaret]

Perhaps the photographs of the deceased were presented much more dramatically than usual, but it is normal to show defendants the consequences of their actions during cross examination. I would expect that the Steenkamps would have been forewarned.

Everyone praised JM for the slit throat picture he vigorously showed JA

 

[G.bng]

So if he never went onto the balcony how could he not hear, feel (the movement) or notice even if only a passing shadow of Reeva going off to the toilet ?

 

[canny]

Nel is shredding OP to pieces ..mincemeat :floorlaugh:

I've said this all along the State only has to make him prove his sworn affidavit nothing else, OP is being ripping apart.

 

[Viper]

OP is NOT a good witness for himself. :no: Too much evasion and too many words. Roux did not prepare him well. I'm shocked frankly.

 

[zwiebel]

Nel quotes the statement where OP says he 'went out on the balcony'.

OP is saying that this has something to do with where he put the fans? Semantics? That he didn't actually have to go out, because it was kinda halfway? He stresses the one (fan) leg in, one out thing again.

 

[BritsKate]

OP is treating this as a competition/race between him and the prosecutor....

And some may question why he feels the need to compete if his version is indeed the truth.

 

[kaos]

OP is treating this as a competition/race between him and the prosecutor....

I never see the point of people on the stand - experts or not - arguing with lawyers. It's their profession to notice the little details that joe bloggs never spots. Pistorius should say he's happy to be challenged by the state considering his actions resulted in the death of the woman he loved.

If that were me, I wouldn't expect anything less than my version being toughly contested so my loved one got the justice they deserved.

 

[zwiebel]

Lol, Nel's just read something he attributed to Roux and it was him! It was from the Botha testimony, about 'being out on the balcony'.

Now Roux's up objecting: 'That does not come from the bail affidavit.'

Judge agrees: That's very important.

 

[TartLemon]

I don't understand where this Prosecutor is going. He's all over the place and I think even the Judge is getting a bit anxious.

 

[zwiebel]

I think Nel is reading what Botha said OP said? I am getting confused with this....