Trial Discussion Thread #21 - 14.04.09, Day 19

[TartLemon]

I'm not convinced he intended to murder her. Still wavering.

 

[Carol70]

Neil asked him if he knew what a zombie stopper is and he said no. He asked him if there was a video of him that included the phrase would he be surprised? OP said no. OP probably doesn't even remember saying it. Again, can't see how that is lying.

Ahh thanks, things easily get taken out of context when trying to keep up on twitter!

 

[zwiebel]

Journalists talking about Nel in terms of a boxer coming out of the corner quickly:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/oscar-pistorius-trial-live-updates-3391035

The Guardian's live blog has helpfully put up the zombie stopper video for its readers;
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/09/oscar-pistorius-trial-live-9-april

 

[MeeBee]

Once certain words and phrases have entered 'ones' vocabulary, you don't forget what they are .. and he knew and fully understood what the term meant when he used it so confidently, so there is no way he doesn't remember what if means now.

Him asking for the video to be played shows, IMO, that he genuinely doesn't remember saying it, if it was even him saying it (we don't know that for sure, could have been his friend).

 

[graceholl]

New did not ask if OP wanted to see the video. Nel was asking about a video and OP said Nel should play it. Logically, if he was going to deliberately lie about something, he never would have told Nel to play it because he would know what it shows, if that makes sense. I agree it was a mistake and Roux sure jumped up fast to stop it lol. But I think OP just didn't know he shouldn't have said it and, again, if he'd had anything to hide I don't think he'd have offered.

Grace holl will probably say this all way better than me lol.

All good with me, echoing my thoughts as ever! :blushing:

 

[lisasalinger]

I spent a bunch of time tonight re-watching Oscar on the stand from these past few days. I listened to every second, I rewound, listened again, I paused... I gave him every benefit of the doubt. I was really hoping that he would give me a reason to believe in his version of events.

I can pretty darn comfortably state at this point that I believe he is straight up lying. His story is total BS.

There are about 100 reasons why I feel this way but it's 2:25am so I'm not even going to try to articulate them.

 

[steveml]

I disagree. It does shed light on the happenings of that night, because it shows a few important things. It shows how quickly and effortlessly OP can put his legs back on.

And the way he initially answered Nel was dishonest, so it may taint some of his earlier testimony.

Also, it shows how much he loved firing his guns, the delight he had. So it sheds doubt on todays testimony where he denied shooting out the sunroof and the restaurant incident.

Well Judge Masipa isn't sure, so we're all in the same ballpark here.

None of us are far wrong :thumb:

I'm ok with that :smile:

 

[jay-jay]

They're back.

Judge: I think both counsel have a point. So I'm going to stand this matter down, let defence view the video....

Have they really not seen it?

We are adjourned, again!

I thought everyone in the world had already seen that vid ages ago!

 

[katydid23]

I seems to me like a sign of desperation on Nel's part.

if they show this sky news report video, why not any old news report

We know how fair and scrupulously "fact based" news reports are.

Maybe I was wrong earlier when I posted that neither side would be reading WS to gain info... perhaps Nel is that desperate :floorlaugh:

I don't think Nel is desperate. I think he is cunning and strategic. He is much like Juan Martinez, the prosecutor in Jodi Arias case. He always opened his crosses by going rogue, out of the blue, and throwing things off kilter, to keep the witnesses off balance.

 

[G.bng]

That's how I'm taking the phrase.

Reckon it is to do with the destructive action of the soft nosed bullets 'cos I can assure you won't get a volley of soft nose into a watermelon, one soft nose in a water melon is devastating... it explodes and even collapses at the same time, unless it's a prize size one and even then I'm not sure. So no, no volley!

 

[kaos]

Exactly. The rule of reciprocal discovery - gives both sides a chance to object to admission and keeps everyone from getting blindsided.

However, I understood enough to know that Nel was saying the defense "opened the door" on direct ... that it should be able to come in that way. What I missed is what Roux did on direct that made Nel make that argument. I don't know what he was basing that on.

Roux is claiming it's 'ambush' as the video wasn't on the docket as evidence.

 

[steveml]

Exactly. The rule of reciprocal discovery - gives both sides a chance to object to admission and keeps everyone from getting blindsided.

However, I understood enough to know that Nel was saying the defense "opened the door" on direct ... that it should be able to come in that way. What I missed is what Roux did on direct that made Nel make that argument. I don't know what he was basing that on.

He showed a youtube clip showing OP and Reeva being quite affectionate inside a small store.

 

[MsY]

He has used the terminology himself, he cannot possibly say he has never heard of it.

Do you actually see OP saying it? Could be Hougaard. (mentioned just to cause some doubt btw)

 

[graceholl]

I just think these adjournments and squabbling are a bit much ado about nothing.

I don't think the video proves that much. 'Zombie stopper' IMO is a clear reference to video games, the majority of which (at the moment anyway) are post-apocalyptic style games where the protagonist is, in so many words, a zombie stopper.

It's not like he shot the watermelon and said, 'Wow, I'd love to blow someone's brains out like that.'

I don't doubt that Nel will get OP to trip and stumble on various points, but this one, I'm not sure. I think he unfairly worded the question for sure.

If I was under oath and someone said 'Have you heard of a crappy before?' I'd say no. If I then saw an old video of myself saying 'I feel a bit crappy today,' I wouldn't consider myself to have lied under oath.

 

[kaos]

Do any of the gun experts know if they're 0.38 calibre bullets for those rifles? I know nothing about guns really except for Clint Eastwood's magnum and that the standard issue is a 9mm.

 

[Cher352]

I'm not convinced he intended to murder her. Still wavering.

Same here

Always thought he was guilty of at least manslaughter but not convinced it was premeditated murder yet.

 

[Sarahlou]

Moo.....I think this trial is over. MiLady will see OP for the lies he is willing to tell and will find no need to hear more lies. Bang

Strong words those.

Then if he's found guilty on all counts you'll still maintain that stance I hope?

Yes bad choice of words on my part there. But it is known that a lot of corruption happens. In this case I think the evidence speaks for itself, but it's not somewhere I'd personally like to be on trial if I was an ordinary Joe there.

 

[Carol70]

Barry says the teams have just 'rushed' back into court.

Rushing. That'll be a first in this trial....

Oh LOLOL

 

[Rumpole]

I don't think Nel is desperate. I think he is cunning and strategic. He is much like Juan Martinez, the prosecutor in Jodi Arias case. He always opened his crosses by going rogue, out of the blue, and throwing things off kilter, to keep the witnesses off balance.

Nel is no Juan Martinez :floorlaugh:

I dont see the vid as having much impact ....

If people are happy with "ambush" and playing of News reports....

I look forward to the next US case where the prosecution pop up with a Nancy Grace "Bombshell" to bolster their case...

 

[04009margaret]

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.

And is OP distraught?