Trial Discussion Thread #21 - 14.04.09, Day 19

[zwiebel]

N: evidence you gave -is that what you remember or a reconstruction?

O: It's what I remember. There were many topics we spoke about; my career, my faith, the night in question....some of it is a reconstruction from what I've read. It's a mix. I can't remember the time of everything happened that night...

Speaking to fast, but he goes on to say how he has read nearly all witness statements and can't remember everything that happened because he wasn't there for everything (eg what witnesses saw from where they were)

 

[jay-jay]

After seeing that pic, all I have to ask OP is, are you still "mortified"?

Yes, what a strange choice of word that was .. I don't know if it means something different in SA, but in the UK it means 'embarrassed to the point of wanting the ground to open up'. 'absolutely *Devastated*' or something like, I would have thought would be more appropropriate

 

[BritsKate]

For those not watching: Nel appears (very) amused at Pistorius looooong assertion that his statement has never changed.

 

[zwiebel]

O doesn't recall calling baba, switiching on bathroom lights, carrying Reeva. But "There was no reconstruction of anything in my house"

 

[TartLemon]

FWIW...

I found the live coverage on BBC.

 

[graceholl]

I disagree, has to take gloves off. Look how OP could not say the words at the beginning of cross, he had to be pushed. Yes it was hard to watch & distressing to some but it was not bullying. Had Roux been the prosecutor you can bet he would have been more forceful than Nel, I mean he basically inferred every state witness a liar

I agree, it needs to be said in a trial.

By 'tactless' I meant as soon as he said it I just thought of June Steenkamp straight away and how awfully real that must have made it all seem.

 

[MsY]

Nel could quite easily have turned the zombie into a human by asking what type of species is a zombie before they become a zombie.

Clearly Nel doesn't watch Walking Dead.

 

[zwiebel]

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.

 

[jay-jay]

I'm glad I didn't see it. I'm no stenographer and have to look at my keyboard while I type. But I could 'hear' and 'feel' the shock in the courtroom - it was palpable.

I do think it's pretty hard on the family to have the photo flashed up without warning.

And I see what Nel was trying to do - OP's been very graphic about blood and injury in relation to the effect it had on HIM Reeva's shooting and his own accidents) Nel wanted to turn it back and ask, what about the effect on the other person, when it happens to them, and you're the cause of it? Because it has been downplayed into a sterile 'mistake' or 'incident', by defence.

But it all just felt wrong, wrong wrong somehow. And the judge didn't like it either.

Yup, it has definitely been downplayed and the severity needs knocking home. I'm pretty sure that Nel has consulted with Reeva's parents over this, and they will be well aware he will be doing things like this from time to time .. they will want him to use whatever means possible to bring this individual to book.

 

[zwiebel]

Judge: Mr Roux, I'm not quite sure I understand your objection.

 

[graceholl]

OP is treading dangerously if he wants to argue with Nel.

eta I get the impression Masipa is fairly sympathetic to OP.

 

[wb180]

Make OP tell his story backwards

 

[04009margaret]

I think it was one pic, zoomed in. I am watching it on tv and have been able to rewind and rewatch. Poor Reeva.

And the good thing about Foxtel is that we can record it lol

 

[zwiebel]

Judge is saying that if there is a problem with 'reconstruction' or 'other things' use, defendant can say he doesn't understand.

 

[jay-jay]

I certainly understand what he was trying to do, I just don't think he went about it the right way, nor that the circumstances called for it.

Do you think he should be pussy footing around then, in order not to upset the accused? I don't.

 

[04009margaret]

Nel doing a good job showing these aren't OP's memories. Funny how Roux complained about the same thing about state's witnesses

 

[zwiebel]

N: ...your answers are v. interesting. You know the bail applic v well?

O: I've read it a couple of times...at the time it was brought to me I was at the police station...I was very emotional. I signed that everything was the truth. My version hasn't changed...it is the truth.

Also said 'I read it yesterday'.

 

[james83]

The cant remember answers as expected.

 

[BritsKate]

OP is treading dangerously if he wants to argue with Nel.

eta I get the impression Masipa is fairly sympathetic to OP.

Shoulda seen how quickly Milady boogied from the bench when Oscar began wailing yesterday.

I think she's cautious, not sympathetic. But it may be wishful thinking on my part too.

 

[MsY]

Yup, it has definitely been downplayed and the severity needs knocking home. I'm pretty sure that Nel has consulted with Reeva's parents over this, and they will be well aware he will be doing things like this from time to time .. they will want him to use whatever means possible to bring this individual to book.

Problem is with kicking a dog too hectically while its down is he wont be strong enough to stand up to face any kind of music then.