Oscar Pistoriuss defence team closed its case on the 39th day of the Blade Runners trial for the alleged murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Before closing the defence’s case, Pistorius’s lawyer Barry Roux told the court that the defence had asked several witnesses to testify but that they had refused because they did not want their voices broadcast across the world. It was agreed that the state would submit its heads of arguments to Judge Thokozile Masipa on July 30 and the defence on August 4, with closing arguments to be heard on August 7 and 8. Masipa also granted an order, requested by prosecutor Gerrie Nel, prohibiting the publication of either sides heads of argument before oral arguments are heard in court. The trial will resume on August 7. Witnesses refused to testify in Oscars defence, Roux tells court - Sapa Most witnesses refused to testify for the defence in paralympian Oscar Pistoriuss murder trial, his lawyer Barry Roux told the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday. We were unable to call a number of witnesses because they refused, and didnt want their voices heard all over the world, Roux said. There was nothing the defence could do to change their minds, he said. Roux did not tell the court who those witnesses were. The defence closed its case. Pistorius is charged with murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14 last year. He claims he shot her by accident through the locked door of the toilet in his Pretoria home, thinking she was an intruder about to emerge and attack him. The State contends he killed her during an argument. The State would file its heads of argument on July 30, and the defence on August 4. Argument would then be heard in court on August 7 and 8. Judge Thokozile Masipa ordered that the contents of the heads of argument not be published by print or broadcast media until they were heard in court. OSCAR TRIAL CONTINUES ON TUESDAY - Sapa The defence team of murder-accused paralympian Oscar Pistorius is expected to close its case on Tuesday at the High Court in Pretoria. On Monday Barry Roux SC, for the athlete, asked the court to adjourn to Tuesday, to consult with his team before closing his case. Before court adjourned, Roux requested a consultation with the States psychiatrist Dr Carla Kotze, before deciding on whether to call a last witness. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel objected, saying the defence could consult its own psychiatrist, Dr Leon Fine. Kotze and Fine were part of the panel of three psychiatrists and one clinical psychologist who observed Pistorius for 30 days at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital following a court order. Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled against the request saying no basis had been laid for it. Masipa said Kotze was not a normal witness and merely because she was present in court did not mean Pistoriuss defence could speak to her. Pistorius is charged with murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentines Day last year. The State concluded its cross-examination on Monday of University of Cape Town professor Wayne Derman, who had worked as Pistoriuss physician for six years. Nel said he would argue in his closing arguments that Derman was a biased expert witness.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 05:14:32 +0000
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