Pathologist to continue testimony in Oscar murder trial

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The Blade Runner, Oscar Pistorius cried and retched in court on Monday, as he listened to findings from the autopsy on Reeva Steenkamp, whom he shot and killed on Valentine's Day last year.

As the athlete's murder trial entered its second week, pathologist Gert Saayman told the High Court in Pretoria that Steenkamp was shot with expanding bullets, designed to cause maximum tissue damage.

He described bullet wounds in the model's head and hip, and suggested some of the injuries were caused by wood splinters from the bathroom door through which the shots were fired.

Saayman's vivid testimony was twice interrupted by the sound of Pistorius weeping and gagging.

At one point, as Saayman described how a bullet had shattered bone, Pistorius covered his ears and curled up on the court bench.

Defence lawyer Barry Roux declined Judge Thokozile Masipa's offer of an adjournment, saying it was unlikely to help his client regain his composure.

The pathologist was the first witness in the trial whose testimony was not broadcast live on television, after he objected, saying it would rob Steenkamp of her dignity.