Oscar Pistorius has pleaded not guilty to intentionally killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
The trial is available to watch online and on news channels, much to some people's horror. One woman said 'Its a murder trial, not a soap opera.'
This is a debatable issue, and its the first time a trial has been publicised in the media in South Africa.
If you haven't already heard the story;
Mr Oscar Pistorius, a multi medal winning paralympion, claimed to have been bringing a fan inside his bedroom on Valentines day 2013 at 5am, when he heard a noise coming from the bathroom. He thought Reeva, his girlfriend was asleep in bed, and so concluded that it must be an intruder. He grabbed his gun and went to investigate. After finding there was someone in the toilet, he fired his gun 4 times, shooting Reeva 3 times though the toilet door.
He then claims when he realised it was Reeva, he knocked the bathroom door down with a cricket bat, and carried Reeva's body downstairs while shouting for help.
A tragic accident? Or pre-meditated murder?
That's all for one woman to decide.
I spent this morning working while listening to the trial, and it (as all criminal law does) fascinated me. Although I was shocked to see the way that the Defence lawyer seemed to 'badger' the witness, even as she was getting emotional.
I'm also quite taken aback that this mans life falls into the hands of one woman, the judge. In South Africa there are no juries, and so after the evidence is presented the judge will come to a conclusion. Does he walk free, or does he spend the rest of his life in prison?
One's life in another's hands, seems a little ironic doesn't it considering its a murder trial?
There are many complications with both the defence and the prosecutions stories however. Mr Pistorius claims he didn't have his prosthetic legs on, and 'felt vulnerable in the dark.' However the prosecution have challenged this with a witness who tells how there were lights on and how the couple seemed to have been arguing.
So it mainly comes down to the forensic evidence; Looking at angles the bullets were shot from therefor telling if he had his prosthetic legs on when he fired the gun. The angle at which Miss Steenkamp was sat/stood at in the toilet when she was shot. The Post mortem examination confirms she had just emptied her bladder.
It all seems very confusing. Two very different versions of events but both with one outcome, a tragic loss of this beautiful young woman.
Thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this difficult time,
No-doubt this trial will go on awhile.
Until next time;
Laura xo
