Oscar Pistorius Vomited During Testimony of Slain Girlfriend's Wounds
Judge bars reporting of graphic description of girlfriend's wounds.
PRETORIA, South Africa March 10, 2014— -- Oscar Pistorius became so upset today while listening to a pathologist graphically describe the bullet wounds he inflicted on his slain girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp that the Blade Runner vomited in court.
Pistorius sat heaving, vomiting and squirming in the dock as pathologist Dr. Gert Saayman testified about the state of Steenkamp's body when he performed the autopsy. On several occasions he could be seen covering his ears with his hands or with his thumbs inside his ears.
The evidence Saayman gave was deemed to be so graphic that the court ruled that it may not be broadcast. Justice Thokozile Masipa felt so strongly about the matter that she prohibited tweets and blogging from the court room too.
Saayman, who performed the autopsy on Steenkamp, told the court the bullets Pistorius used when he fired at Steenkamp were Black Talon bullets that are designed to open up upon entry in order to inflict the maximum physical harm.
Scenes From the Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial
Saayman said Steenkamp was struck on the right arm, the right hip and on the right side of the head. He said the wound to Steenkamp's skull indicates that the bullet came from an elevation higher than her head, suggesting she was not standing when she was shot.
Saayman's description of the gunshot wounds visibly upset Pistorius who started vomiting into a bucket given to him earlier today. The court stood down for a brief adjournment to give Pistorius time to compose himself, but when it resumed, Pistorius' lawyer Barry Roux indicated that he wanted the court to proceed.
Read More: Oscar Pistorius Reacts to Testimony About Night Reeva Steenkamp Was Killed
Proceedings started far less dramatic this morning with the cross examination of security guard Pieter Baba. Roux showed Baba phone records of the evening on Feb. 14, 2013 when Pistorius shot Steenkamp showing that Pistorius first phoned security and that the guard phoned him back moments later when they got disconnected.
Baba testified that he phoned Pistorius after receiving calls from other residents. He told the court Pistorius told him "Security, everything is fine," but he could hear everything was not fine as it sounded like the athlete was crying. According to the security guard, Pistorius phoned him moments later but was too distraught to speak and simply hung up.
Pistorius, 27, is charged with murdering Steenkamp. He claims he mistook her for an intruder when he fired four shots through a bathroom door. Pistorius could face at least 25 years in prison if convicted of murder.
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