Pistorius Without Prostethic Legs When He Shot Girlfriend

Oscar Pistorius was not aided by his prosthetic legs when he shot his girlfriend, according to a key police ballistics expert testifying at the athlete’s trial in Pretoria, South Africa.

On day 13 of the trial, Captain Christian Mangena said analysis of the crime scene and his subsequent tests suggested that Mr Pistorius, 27, was not wearing the prostheses when he fired the fatal shots.

Capt Mangena also said that while he had not been able to determine the exact distance, the evidence pointed to the shots having been fired from a position greater than 60cm (23 inches) away from the toilet door but no further than 3m.

Correspondents say this is in line with the athlete’s testimony that he pulled the trigger while standing at the entrance to the bathroom.

Oscar Pistorius Trial Enters Day 13: Athlete Was On His Stumps When He Opened Fire.
Oscar Pistorius Trial Enters Day 13: Athlete Was On His Stumps When He Opened Fire.

Explaining the trajectory of the bullets, Capt Mangena said that Ms Steenkamp, 29, was standing up in the toilet cubicle when she was hit in the right hip by the first of four bullets.

He said she then fell backwards before being hit in the arm and the head by the last two bullets fired by Mr Pistorius through the wooden door as she crossed both hands over her head to protect herself.

Correspondents say this lends support to the defence team’s insistence that the shooting was not premeditated.

Mr Pistorius denies murdering Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013, saying he thought she was an intruder.

The prosecution says he intentionally shot her after an argument.

Culled from the BBC Africa