Trial Discussion Thread #27 - 14.04.16, Day 24

[patCee]

I imagine today was very embarrassing testimony however, im in agreement, I cant see how it damaged OP defense. Roux just wasted the courts time with bringing this witness to testify imo. Dixon neither sabotaged or defended the case. It actually proved nothing for either side and all it did was give a lot of people some lovely lol's for the day

I'm a little surprised Roux didn't go over this all with Dixon before he took the stand!

I lost all clarity after the first 10 mins, but I do think his evidence was good for the PT in terms of the neighbour witnesses and their credibility, particularly the Stipps. Remember DT have spent some time trying to discredit them. They wouldn't have done so unless they were important to PT.

 

[Giles]

Can anybody remember where he claimed the none of the bullets missed Reeva?

Yes, he said that "all of the bullets hit the door..." Very helpful!!!

 

[kaos]

Yes, he said that "all of the bullets hit the door..." Very helpful!!!

So he didn't actually say that all four went into Reeva?

 

[BritsKate]

I imagine today was very embarrassing testimony however, im in agreement, I cant see how it damaged OP defense. Roux just wasted the courts time with bringing this witness to testify imo. Dixon neither sabotaged or defended the case. It actually proved nothing for either side and all it did was give a lot of people some lovely lol's for the day

I'm a little surprised Roux didn't go over this all with Dixon before he took the stand!

Okay, I have to disagree. I obviously think Oscar is guilty of intentional murder but I've also spent 20 years trial watching. This is the defence's big moment to attempt to correct the damage Oscar inflicted. This is their time to prove, despite them having a terrible eye-witness, that forensically what the State has presented is impossible and therefore Oscar must be telling the truth despite being so poor on stand.

So...I'm saying (without any LOL's) that today did damage the defence further in that they still haven't put forth a reasonable, logical defence at all. Bringing witnesses forth that agree with the State or are so clearly not credible doesn't make it a moot point. It, in turn, bolsters the State's case by not directly refuting it.

MOO

ETA: And before anyone says it...most, if not all, of us know the defence is not legally required to prove anything...but it's a hell of a gamble not refuting the State's case. I think we'd all agree on that.

 

[soozieqtips]

Can anybody remember where he claimed that none of the bullets missed Reeva?

Nel took every opportunity to discredit Dixon, including questioning his ballistics evidence
when he said none of the bullets missed Steenkamp .

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/16/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/

 

[jassy writer]

I must have missed it... did Nel cross examine Dixon on the Stipps' evidence / curtains?

 

[shane13]

So he didn't actually say that all four went into Reeva?

Actually I think I heard him say that unlike Mangela, he believes all 4 hit Reeva.

 

[Lyra500]

D: There are so many variable factors....I'm not saying this hole made this wound.....I'm not speaking as a ballistics expert, I'm speaking as a person trying to establish the facts...

Pardon?

 

[minor4th]

DV discussion on Oscar Radio

http://whoopwhoop.tv/pistoriusradio.htm

 

[Giles]

So he didn't actually say that all four went into Reeva?

No I don't think so. He was just being obtuse in answering one of Nel's questions.


Does anyone know whether urine was found in the toilet bowl? I know this has been discussed before but I never heard a conclusive answer.

 

[Rumpole]

Nel took every opportunity to discredit Dixon, including questioning his ballistics evidence
when he said none of the bullets missed Steenkamp .

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/16/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/

This witness and the first Defence witness have both claimed that the small finger injury was cause by the bullet that the State experts say missed altogether... so not bullets missing totally IS the defense position.

 

[Giles]

Okay, I have to disagree. I obviously think Oscar is guilty of intentional murder but I've also spent 20 years trial watching.

I am curious BritsKate. Do you think he is guilty of intentional murder 'beyond a reasonable doubt'?

 

[Hatfield]

The defense tactic is to babble them with BS. Throw so much crap at the fan that the whole room is covered. Unfortunately that tactic works to confuse things.

 

[Suthrnqt]

What was y'all's take on Roux's comment that he was "ducking and diving"? TIA

 

[shane13]

Pardon?

I hope not.

 

[Rumpole]

Nel took every opportunity to discredit Dixon, including questioning his ballistics evidence
when he said none of the bullets missed Steenkamp .

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/16/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial/

This witness and the first Defense witness have both claimed that the small finger injury was cause by the bullet that the State experts say missed altogether... so no bullets missing totally IS the defense position.
It was a passing nick between fingers, and so that bullet did then travel on and hit the wall as described by State experts.

 

[minor4th]

So here's what I think Dixon established and that he was actually qualified to testify about:

He provided evidence that Oscar kicked the door (can't remember which mark), and he provided evidence that the door was hit with the cricket bat three times and actually tested one of the marks that Vermuelen said he didn't test (although photographic evidence proves otherwise.)

I haven't listened to all of the testimony yet, so I can't say anything about the sound test yet.

 

[Apollo]

Actually I think I heard him say that unlike Mangela, he believes all 4 hit Reeva.

Yes--I think he said: 1. hip 2. arm 3. web of hand 4. head

 

[steveml]

Excellent point. I seriously think those bullets should have been a big part of the prosecution case because they were never designed to just injure somebody, they were designed to kill and mutilate a person.

Other than the initial shock and awe regarding this bullet, Nel probably realized he's done what he can.

The bullets are hollow-point, and are recommended for use in a personal defense situation for their safety, as well as their impact.

Nel probably has hollow-points as his bullets of choice in his own weapon. They'll be called Ranger SXT or similar (basically a re-branded Black Talon).

 

[BritsKate]

I am curious BritsKate. Do you think he is guilty of intentional murder 'beyond a reasonable doubt'?

I do. (But I'll concede that I'm easily won over by the State in many cases.)

The screams not being refuted and the ever-evolving defence explanation for those screams is my BARD moment. I may change my mind but I really doubt it without those five witnesses being discredited by something solid and logical.