Oscar Pistorius: will one of most hyped murder trials in history be fair?

[Josy]

As an international media circus gathers and rolling TV coverage is planned, the frenzy of tweeting and commentary will put South Africa's justice system under close scrutiny

"The Oscar Pistorius court case has all the elements of a Hollywood drama," says the blurb for South Africa's flagship current affairs TV show this week. "A superstar sporting hero, a beautiful victim, a glamorous lifestyle and, on Valentine's Day – a dramatic killing. But this wasn't fiction. It was fact."

When Pistorius enters the North Gauteng high court on Monday morning, one of the most watched, most tweeted and most hyped murder trials in history will finally be under way.

South Africa, which had no television until 1975, will launch a channel providing the kind of 24-hour rolling coverage usually associated with wars. Dozens of journalists – from Le Monde in France to Yomiuri Shimbun in Japan – will be part of an international media extravaganza never before seen in an African court.

More at the link here

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/28/key-players-oscar-pistorius-trial

Key players in the Oscar Pistorius trial

The judge: Thokozile Masipa
At the centre of the biggest media circus in South African legal history is a former crime reporter who was never short of stories during the dog days of the apartheid era. Masipa, top, was also a social worker after leaving school in 1976, and only completed her law degree at 43. In 1998 she became the second black woman on the Transvaal bench, and has spoken out strongly about violence against women in her judgments and twice handed down maximum sentences to men convicted of such crimes. One was in 2009 against Freddy Mashamba, a police officer who shot and killed his former wife after a row over their divorce settlement. "No one is above the law," Masipa said. "You deserve to go to jail for life because you are not a protector. You are a killer."

The second was in May against Shepherd Moyo, a serial rapist and burglar whose

sentence of 252 years was intended to serve as a deterrent, she said. "The worst in my view is that he attacked and raped the victims in the sanctity of their own homes where they thought they were safe."

The prosecutor: Gerrie Nel
Nel, middle, a career prosecutor with more than 30 years' experience, has handled some of South Africa's biggest cases and is unlikely to be disconcerted by the spotlight. He has known worse. In 2008, when he was prosecuting Jackie Selebi, the country's most senior police officer and later president of Interpol, Nel was arrested by 20 police officers in front of his wife and children in the early hours one morning. Fraud charges against him were later dropped and, two years later, Nel secured a corruption conviction against Selebi, who was sentenced to 15 years behind bars. "Everything he touches turns to gold," Mthunzi Mhaga, a former national prosecuting authority spokesman, told South African media.

The defence: Barry Roux
In a case being compared to the OJ Simpson trial before it even opens, South Africa's answer to the charismatic American defence lawyer Johnnie Cochran is Barry Roux, bottom, who will strive to prevent Pistorius from going to jail. Roux was admitted to the Johannesburg bar in 1982 and is a senior advocate with a colourful history of clients. – including Dave King, a Scottish-born businessman and former Rangers football club director who risked jail for ignoring the biggest tax bill in South African history. It is speculated that Roux could be earning around 50,000 rand (£3,600) a day. He stole the limelight during Pistorius's bail hearing when he tore into the evidence of the lead detective Hilton Botha. "This is like watching a baby seal getting clubbed," one South African journalist tweeted.

So do you think it will be a fair trial? what's your opinions of this case?

Discuss

[Crimson Dynamo]

Some African sh**?

Some vaguely famous once athlete?

no thanks

[Josy]

Some African sh**?

Some vaguely famous once athlete?

no thanks

He's the fastest man on no legs, very famous actually..

but I never asked if you would be watching/following I asked if you think it will be a fair trial? it's being televised to prove that famous people are given the same treatment as non famous people so what do think?

[Kate!]

Comparisons with OJ were inevitable, and like OJ he's as guilty as sin. Unlike OJ though I don't think he'll get away with it. I like legal stuff so will find this interesting and am optimistic for a fair trial yes.

[Crimson Dynamo]

He's the fastest man on no legs, very famous actually..

but I never asked if you would be watching/following I asked if you think it will be a fair trial? it's being televised to prove that famous people are given the same treatment as non famous people so what do think?

Its in Africa

there is no chance of fairness

and he was the fastest man with no legs below the knees who decided to take up running and that, is a small sample size

[MTVN]

It's not that small, Pistorious is the most successful paralympian ever, worth more than most able bodied athletes, has been a figurehead of disabled sports, won numerous gold medals and has also competed alongside able bodied athletes

Anyway I think his story is farfetched but just about possible, I wouldnt be too surprised if there was enough doubt not to convict him. If he is found guilty though hes in for absolute hell in South African jail

[Crimson Dynamo]

It's not that small, Pistorious is the most successful paralympian ever, worth more than most able bodied athletes, has been a figurehead of disabled sports, won numerous gold medals and has also competed alongside able bodied athletes

Anyway I think his story is farfetched but just about possible, I wouldnt be too surprised if there was enough doubt not to convict him. If he is found guilty though hes in for absolute hell in South African jail


Has he even tried to come up with an excuse why he did not shoot her in a jealous rage?

[MTVN]

Has he even tried to come up with an excuse why he did not shoot her in a jealous rage?

Claims he was outside on the balcony, came back in and heard a noise in the bathroom and cos he was on his stumps felt vulnerable so went to to the locked toilet door thinking it was a burglar in there and shot through it

Didn't think to check his girlfriend was still in bed or anything apparently

[arista]

He is guilty
Live on every TV news in Court soon.

[Crimson Dynamo]

in first with...

He has not got a leg to stand on

[arista]

Its in Africa

there is no chance of fairness

and he was the fastest man with no legs below the knees who decided to take up running and that, is a small sample size


Thats why its going Worldwide on Every TV News Live
to stop people like you going on about the past

[MeMyselfAndI]

Never heard of him/it, Amanda Knox's trial is bigger

[MeMyselfAndI]

Oh actually I have heard of it

[Crimson Dynamo]

Thats why its going Worldwide on Every TV News Live
to stop people like you going on about the past

they wont stop me

NOONE WILL STOP ME ...(echo: noone will stop me, noone will stop me..)

[MTVN]

Didn't know murder trials were in competition with each other to try and be 'bigger' than the others

[arista]

they wont stop me

NOONE WILL STOP ME ...(echo: noone will stop me, noone will stop me..)


But you can Watch it Live on TV News

[MeMyselfAndI]

Hopefully he'll be sent to prison for ever, the evidence is overwhelmingly

- He & gf had a massive fight
- She then locks herself in the bathroom & he goes to balcony
- He walks through the bedroom, past the empty bed & shoots four times through the bathroom door on his prosthetic leg [Not once - FOUR times]
- He lied and said he was not on his on his prosthetic leg, when his girlfriend was shot from a high angle, so he was lieing, he actually had time to put on his prosthetic legs before the shooting. - So there was no panic or rush before the shooting, i.e. no bugular
- He was seen at a shooting range a day before
- he did not have a license for a .38-caliber weapon and consequently his possession of ammunition for such a weapon was illegal

[Crimson Dynamo]

But you can Watch it Live on TV News

Yes on my New LG 84'' Ultra HD TV

[MTVN]

Hopefully he'll be sent to prison for ever, the evidence is overwhelmingly

- He & gf had a massive fight
- She then locks herself in the bathroom & he goes to balcony
- He walks through the bedroom, past the empty bed & shoots four times through the bathroom door on his prosthetic leg [Not once - FOUR times]
- He lied and said he was not on his on his prosthetic leg, when his girlfriend was shot from a high angle, so he was lieing, he actually had time to put on his prosthetic legs before the shooting. - So there was no panic or rush before the shooting, i.e. no bugular
- He was seen at a shooting range a day before
- he did not have a license for a .38-caliber weapon and consequently his possession of ammunition for such a weapon was illegal

The prosecution has admitted that he may well not have been on his legs now after ballistic experts said it was unlikely

Other than that I do agree the evidence is strong

[Niamh.]

It'll be a disgrace if he's not found guilty

[user104658]

It'll be a disgrace if he's not found guilty

And yet, he probably will be. He's been given FAR too long to construct a solid narrative and some of the forensic evidence is already conspicuously different from what was released at the time. The entire thing absolutely reeks of corruption.

[joeysteele]

It'll be a disgrace if he's not found guilty

I actually think he will be found not guilty somehow.
What I dread is if it is the same judge presiding who did his bail hearings.
His summing up will likely take 3/4 days at least.

[GypsyGoth]

Either way he's guilty.

One way he killed her because he thought she was a burglar - that's murder.

The other way he killed her because he knew it was her - that's also murder.

He should just get put in jail for life and the money that is saved on his trail should be given to an amputee charity or something.

[Z]

I just think it's a crying shame that in all of this, Reeva Steenkamp has mostly been forgotten. People are making more out of the fact a paralympian who had it all murdered/accidentally killed his hot girlfriend and newspaper are rather grotesquely publishing bikini pictures of her... but it's all from his point of view, the focus is on him and not on her, in the media. Her family must be absolutely heart broken.

[Shaun]

One way he killed her because he thought she was a burglar - that's murder.

eh, I'm not really the strongest advocate of the (all-encompassing, gun-toting) right to defend your home but what are South Africa's laws on that? Because I think it's a bit extreme to say that's murder.

[Ammi]

..I would be really surprised if he was found guilty of murder and would it not have been better to be a manslaughter charge because unlike OJ, there was never a question that he didn't shoot and kill her..only what the intent was/whether he thought she was an intruder/threat or whether it was an intentional killing...

[Marsh.]

eh, I'm not really the strongest advocate of the (all-encompassing, gun-toting) right to defend your home but what are South Africa's laws on that? Because I think it's a bit extreme to say that's murder.

Hearing a noise in the bathroom and blindly just firing a gun at someone on the other side of a door 4 times I would think is murder.

I don't think that would count as self defence or anything.

[Kate!]

Hearing a noise in the bathroom and blindly just firing a gun at someone on the other side of a door 4 times I would think is murder.

I don't think that would count as self defence or anything.

Yes, it's hardly what I'd expect the instinctive reaction to be. My first thought would be instantly to go to check on my partner, phone for help, and get out of there.

[Ammi]

..I don't know, it's a bit of a tricky one in a way, Marsh...it's a completely different world to the one we're used to with the threat and fear of intruders etc, so it's hard to really predict what would be 'typical behaviour' maybe..

[lostalex]

Do i think it'll be fair? no. I don't think celebrity trials are fair in any country, so I doubt South Africa will be any different.

I don't think there is a single country on earth where everyone is treated equally by the law.

[MTVN]

..I don't know, it's a bit of a tricky one in a way, Marsh...it's a completely different world to the one we're used to with the threat and fear of intruders etc, so it's hard to really predict what would be 'typical behaviour' maybe..

Agree, SA is one of the most violent countries in the world and the fear of break ins or armed intruders will be massively heightened there, I think Pistorious once admitted before all this in an interview that he slept with a gun, a baseball bat and a cricket bat for fear or burglars. If he was also on his stumps and lacking any real mobility that would only make it a more frightening situation

According to this (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/9871195/Oscar-Pistorius-murder-charge-South-African-self-defence-law.html)article:

South African law gives far more leeway to the use of force in self defence than many other countries. Anyone can respond with force if their life is in danger.

The attacker does not necessarily have to be carrying a weapon: if you fear injury or death, you can use the most extreme means, including killing the assailant.

There is no balancing of weapons. If, for example, the attacker is carrying a knife and his target happens to have a firearm, the intended victim would be entitled to shoot that person dead.

South African law also states that you can defend somebody else if there is a possibility of serious injury or death. You are entitled to intervene and even kill the attacker. You do not have to be in a family or any other kind of relationship to the victim.

If somebody breaks into your house, you are entitled to kill that person under certain circumstances. If the burglar runs away and you kill that person anyway, you could be exceeding the bounds of self-defence. If, however, you are faced with a situation where you fear for your life or safety, you would be entitled to kill the intruder.

South African courts understand that these scenarios happen very quickly, usually at night. A householder cannot sit down and decide objectively exactly what should be done. You could reasonably expect any intruder to be armed and capable of doing you harm. The courts tend to accept a broad definition of self-defence.

[lostalex]

Agree, SA is one of the most violent countries in the world and the fear of break ins or armed intruders will be massively heightened there, I think Pistorious once admitted before all this in an interview that he slept with a gun, a baseball bat and a cricket bat for fear or burglars. If he was also on his stumps and lacking any real mobility that would only make it a more frightening situation

According to this (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/9871195/Oscar-Pistorius-murder-charge-South-African-self-defence-law.html)article:

but he wasn't really worried about intruders. He was just angry at his woman, who he considered his property, and when she locked herself in a bathroom to get away from him, he was so frustrated that she wouldn't open the door, that he just started shooting through the door.

That's what I think at least.

[MTVN]

but he wasn't really worried about intruders. he was just angry at his woman, who he considered his property, and when she locked herself in a bathroom to get away from him, he was so frustrated that that she wouldn't open the door, that he just started shooting through thew door.

That's what i think at least.

You may well be right, I was just talking hypothetically if he really did think it was an intruder he probably wouldn't be convicted of murder

[Ammi]

Agree, SA is one of the most violent countries in the world and the fear of break ins or armed intruders will be massively heightened there, I think Pistorious once admitted before all this in an interview that he slept with a gun, a baseball bat and a cricket bat for fear or burglars. If he was also on his stumps and lacking any real mobility that would only make it a more frightening situation

According to this (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/9871195/Oscar-Pistorius-murder-charge-South-African-self-defence-law.html)article:

..I have an aunt and uncle who lived in South Africa for many years and my uncle was shot three times during their lives there and two of those times it was by intruders in their home...we hear about dreadful situations on the news etc and obviously we take precautions for our safety but we don’t live with the day to day real threats and fears that people in some countries do so it’s really hard to fully understand it or the precautions they take compared to what we think we would do..?..

..there’s no question that he shot her, obviously...that’s where I think this differs from most other cases..and there obviously is also a chance that he deliberately killed her but if had to say, do I 100% believe that it was an intentional killing..?..I really couldn’t say that and even if I felt 97/98/99% sure...that’s enough isn’t it to say there is element of doubt...and enough for an innocent verdict and I think that’s the way it could go...

[lostalex]

..I have an aunt and uncle who lived in South Africa for many years and my uncle was shot three times during their lives there and two of those times it was by intruders in their home...we hear about dreadful situations on the news etc and obviously we take precautions for our safety but we don’t live with the day to day real threats and fears that people in some countries do so it’s really hard to fully understand it or the precautions they take compared to what we think we would do..?..

..there’s no question that he shot her, obviously...that’s where I think this differs from most other cases..and there obviously is also a chance that he deliberately killed her but if had to say, do I 100% believe that it was an intentional killing..?..I really couldn’t say that and even if I felt 97/98/99% sure...that’s enough isn’t it to say there is element of doubt...and enough for an innocent verdict and I think that’s the way it could go...

innocent of 1st degree murder maybe, but completely innocent? no. Certainly he's guilty of a crime that at least deserves 20 years in jail. Why didn't he ask who was in the bathroom? why didn't he check on Reeva if he really thought they were danger?

He didn't do anything right in that scenario. Whether he was murdering his girlfriend, or just killed her by accident because he was paranoid about intruders, either way it was a horrible crime and he deserves to be in jail for a very long time. He acted recklessly either way.

None of his actions, no matter which story you believe, were appropriate or reasonable actions.

[Ammi]

innocent of 1st degree murder maybe, but completely innocent? no. Certainly he's guilty of a crime that at least deserves 20 years in jail. Why didn't he ask who was in the bathroom? why didn't he check on Reeva if he really thought they were danger?

He didn't do anything right in that scenario. Whether he was murdering his girlfriend, or just killed her by accident because he was paranoid about intruders, either way it was a horrible crime and he deserves to be in jail for a very long time. He acted recklessly either way.

None of his actions, no matter which story you believe, were appropriate or reasonable actions.


..yeah but I think that's the thing though, Alex..he's being tried for premeditated murder and I'm not saying that I believe that he felt under threat from an intruder/intruders but I think it's going to be something that's going to be extremely hard to establish for certain, which is why I think there will be an element of doubt and I don't think he'll be found guilty, so there is no alternative other than 'innocent'...

[Z]

"Who's in there?"
"It's me, Reeva"

That's all it would have taken to prevent this from happening. So either he crept up to the door and shot whoever was behind it without asking any questions or he knew it was her. Shoot first and ask questions later. Not nice.

[Niamh.]

You may well be right, I was just talking hypothetically if he really did think it was an intruder he probably wouldn't be convicted of murder

Why would an intruder go into his bathroom and lock himself in though? It makes absolutely no sense

[Niamh.]

"Who's in there?"
"It's me, Reeva"

That's all it would have taken to prevent this from happening. So either he crept up to the door and shot whoever was behind it without asking any questions or he knew it was her. Shoot first and ask questions later. Not nice.

Exactly. You would think that he'd be more likely to assume that his girlfriend was in his ensuite bathroom than a burglar, why on earth would a burglar sneak into his bedroom only to lock himself in the toilet, it doesn't make any sense

[lostalex]

he'll get off. OJ simpson all over again. mark my words.

[Cherie]

he'll get off. OJ simpson all over again. mark my words.

Think so too

[Z]

Yeah so far the investigation has been bungled so many times that I think he's going to get off due to a lack of evidence... which is bull****. Who shoots at their bathroom door four times without thinking to ask who's there? I think he killed her in cold blood. It just does not make sense.

[joeysteele]

he'll get off. OJ simpson all over again. mark my words.

I agree,it would surprise me if he was found guilty. I feel sure you will be proven right lostalex.

[MTVN]

Why would an intruder go into his bathroom and look himself in though? It makes absolutely no sense

Well this is his version of events here: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/pistorius-case-oscar-pistorius-affidavit-full-133133080.html

- There were no burglar bars across the bathroom window and I knew contractors who worked at my house had left the ladders outside. Although I did not have my prosthetics legs on, I have mobility on my stumps.

- I believed someone had entered my house. I was too scared to switch a light on. I grabbed my 9 mm pistol from underneath my bed.

- On my way to the bathroom I screamed words to the effect for him/them to get out of my house and for Reeva to phone the police. It was pitch dark in the bedroom and I thought Reeva was in bed.

- I noticed that the bathroom window was open. I realised that the intruder/s was/were in the toilet because the toilet door was closed and I did not see anyone in the bathroom. I heard movement inside the toilet. The toilet is inside the bathroom and has a separate door.

- It filled me with horror and fear of an intruder or intruders being inside the toilet. I thought he or they must have entered through the unprotected window.

- As I did not have my prosthetic legs on and felt extremely vulnerable, I knew I had to protect Reeva and myself.

- I believed that when the intruder/s came out of the toilet, we would be in grave danger. I felt trapped as my bedroom door was locked and I have limited mobility on my stumps.

- I fired shots at the toilet door and shouted to Reeva to call the police. She did not respond and I moved backwards out of the bathroom, keeping my eyes on the bathroom entrance.

[lostalex]

so how does he explain his past history of domestic abuse, and the fact that he'd been arguing with Reeva earlier? or does he deny that. There is plenty of evidence that actually he had abused and beat Reeva many times before this night.


and does he still act like he was just a normal happy guy in a happy relationship? There are multiple witnesses that saw him being angry and abusive towards her.

He has a history of this kind of behavior. He reminds me of Robert Blake and Phil Spector.

This is why it's important to tell all women in an abusive relationship, it only get's worse! don't think that it get's better, it never get's better.

Any woman on this forum who is in an abusive relationship, this is how it ends., get out now.

[Josy]

Anyone else watching this on Sky Sports 2?

So many witnesses saying they heard shouting before the gunshots.

[MTVN]

Sky Sports 2? :suspect: what are they showing about it

[Josy]

Just the days events, have seen some of the witness statements and now they are just talking about it.

[Kate!]

so how does he explain his past history of domestic abuse, and the fact that he'd been arguing with Reeva earlier? or does he deny that. There is plenty of evidence that actually he had abused and beat Reeva many times before this night.


and does he still act like he was just a normal happy guy in a happy relationship? There are multiple witnesses that saw him being angry and abusive towards her.

He has a history of this kind of behavior. He reminds me of Robert Blake and Phil Spector.

This is why it's important to tell all women in an abusive relationship, it only get's worse! don't think that it get's better, it never get's better.

Any woman on this forum who is in an abusive relationship, this is how it ends., get out now.

I could not agree more with this especially the last part about getting out.

[Ammi]

..I just think he's going to be found not guilty because his defence is plausible..I'm not saying I think that's what happened but just that it is possible so therefore leaves an element of doubt and I think that it was more or less going to be that way on a murder charge as opposed to manslaughter, because surely he would have to have a prison sentence for that...

[Cherie]

"Who's in there?"
"It's me, Reeva"

That's all it would have taken to prevent this from happening. So either he crept up to the door and shot whoever was behind it without asking any questions or he knew it was her. Shoot first and ask questions later. Not nice.

Why would an intruder go into his bathroom and lock himself in though? It makes absolutely no sense

he also got out of bed on his stumps now I don't know must about it, but I'd imagine it would be a slower process traversing the bedroom to get out, so why at any point did he not check that Reeva was in bed? and if he did think someone was in the bathroom, wouldn't your first instinct be to call out to Reeva to get up, or get out, not just leave her lying in bed oblivious, just doesn't add up to me.

Reevas Mum was interviewed by ITV yesterday and she said he still hasn't looked her in the eyes, why not if he is innocent?

[lostalex]

I think we need to address misogyny in professional sports.

We talk about homophobia in professional sports a lot recently, because pif the coming out of many players recently, but what about also addressing misogyny in professional sports?

I think the hyper-masculine/macho culture of professional sports (and also amateur/highschool/college sports) is very misogynistic as well as homophobic, i think the 2 issues are related.

The idea of athletes as Greek Gods that surely must be worshipped for their hyper-masculinity.

[Niamh.]

..I just think he's going to be found not guilty because his defence is plausible..I'm not saying I think that's what happened but just that it is possible so therefore leaves an element of doubt and I think that it was more or less going to be that way on a murder charge as opposed to manslaughter, because surely he would have to have a prison sentence for that...

Do you think his defense is plausible? God, I think his defense is awful and completely unbelievable

[smudgie]

He screams like a woman when he is anxious...but Reeva did not hear him and say it was her that was in the toilet.
He felt vulnerable because the bedroom done wAs locked:conf: yet he managed to walk down the passage to the bathroom.
He could easily have woke Reeva and unlocked the door, gun in hand.
He could even have tried ringing security..

[Ammi]

Do you think his defense is plausible? God, I think his defense is awful and completely unbelievable

..I think it's plausible the way it seems to be being presented and I also can't understand why it was never manslaughter because surely he would have to be given a prison sentence with that..maybe not such a long one..(..I don't know what SA law is..)...but with a murder charge he could be found innocent...

[Niamh.]

..I think it's plausible the way it seems to be being presented and I also can't understand why it was never manslaughter because surely he would have to be given a prison sentence with that..maybe not such a long one..(..I don't know what SA law is..)...but with a murder charge he could be found innocent...

he could be found innocent isn't a good enough reason not to make it a murder charge imo, he shot her through a locked door, that's cold blooded and cruel and she deserves proper justice imo

[Jesus.]

Not sure how he's going to get away with this. He's definitely going to need a good stump speech.

[Vicky.]

No I do not think it will be fair. Its the same as most other high profile cases. The jury is biased before going in because of the media stuff..most people have made up their minds one way or the other before even seeing any evidence, etc etc

I do think that papers should be kinda gagged in some cases tbh. To ensure fair trials. Yeah bring everything out afterwards, and do light reporting at the time, but to divulge every detail of cases (and in many instances make stuff up too, depending which side the papers on) should be seen as perversion of justice..surely?

[Ammi]

he could be found innocent isn't a good enough reason not to make it a murder charge imo, he shot her through a locked door, that's cold blooded and cruel and she deserves proper justice imo

..I'm just not sure that she or her family will get it though tbh, I still think that his defence will present a good 'reasonable doubt' case and he'll be found innocent...

Not sure how he's going to get away with this. He's definitely going to need a good stump speech.

...:laugh:..there isn't really any reply to that, I think the 'hasn't got s leg to stand on' one has already been used...

[Niamh.]

..I'm just not sure that she or her family will get it though tbh, I still think that his defence will present a good 'reasonable doubt' case and he'll be found innocent...



...:laugh:..there isn't really any reply to that, I think the 'hasn't got s leg to stand on' one has already been used...

Quite possible, I guess it's a shame that it has to be one thing or another in cases like this, that the evidence couldn't be put forward and the defense given and then let the jury decide whether they think he's guilty of murder or manslaughter or innocent of both

[Jesus.]

..I'm just not sure that she or her family will get it though tbh, I still think that his defence will present a good 'reasonable doubt' case and he'll be found innocent...



...:laugh:..there isn't really any reply to that, I think the 'hasn't got s leg to stand on' one has already been used...

Well if he does get away with it, then I'm sure he'll go out afterwards for celebratory drinks, and get totally.....





























Hammered.

[Ammi]

Well if he does get away with it, then I'm sure he'll go out afterwards for celebratory drinks, and get totally.....





























Hammered.

..I reckon he wouldn't be able to stand a round anyway...(ok, this is serious debates...I'm stopping now...)...

[MTVN]

No I do not think it will be fair. Its the same as most other high profile cases. The jury is biased before going in because of the media stuff..most people have made up their minds one way or the other before even seeing any evidence, etc etc

I do think that papers should be kinda gagged in some cases tbh. To ensure fair trials. Yeah bring everything out afterwards, and do light reporting at the time, but to divulge every detail of cases (and in many instances make stuff up too, depending which side the papers on) should be seen as perversion of justice..surely?

They dont actually have a jury in South African courts, its completely in the hands of the judge who in this case is one of the few female judges and has spoken about the need to do more to protect woman from domestic violence and imposed tough sentences on male abusers

Good luck Oscar

[Vicky.]

They dont actually have a jury in South African courts, its completely in the hands of the judge who in this case is one of the few female judges and has spoken about the need to do more to protect woman from domestic violence and imposed tough sentences on male abusers

Good luck Oscar
Ahh right. I thought it was the same as us.

My point still stands for other cases then :laugh:

I dont know enough about this case to form an opinion really. Though I have literally just heard on the news that he randomly shot a gun in a restaurant a month or so before the incident :S

[Niamh.]

They dont actually have a jury in South African courts, its completely in the hands of the judge who in this case is one of the few female judges and has spoken about the need to do more to protect woman from domestic violence and imposed tough sentences on male abusers

Good luck Oscar

That's good to know

[Nedusa]

He must have been really desparate for the toilet...............

[Jesus.]

One good witness and his defence will be totally cut off at the knees.

[Nedusa]

He is certainly in a very sticky situation !!!


Sorry - that belongs in the other thread

[Z]

I think he's guilty and I sincerely, sincerely hope the judge sends him to jail for a long time.

[Niamh.]

Roses are Red,
Violets are glorious,
Don't ever creep up,
On Oscar Pistorius

[Cherie]

No I do not think it will be fair. Its the same as most other high profile cases. The jury is biased before going in because of the media stuff..most people have made up their minds one way or the other before even seeing any evidence, etc etc

I do think that papers should be kinda gagged in some cases tbh. To ensure fair trials. Yeah bring everything out afterwards, and do light reporting at the time, but to divulge every detail of cases (and in many instances make stuff up too, depending which side the papers on) should be seen as perversion of justice..surely?


No juries in SA just a Judge and two other people not sure what their role is. Oh sorry just seen MTVNs post.

[Cherie]

Denied early release :hee:

[arista]

Yes the Family
are pleased his early release was stopped.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-65141013

[Barry.]

Denied early release :hee:

Good

[Crimson Dynamo]

tbh he never had a leg to stand on with the release

[Zizu]

There’s only two live court cases that had me completely transfixed.. the OscarP one and the Gwyneth Paltrow case that concluded last night


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[rusticgal]

OJ Simpson was a fascinating trial to watch....followed by Oscar P..

[Zizu]

OJ Simpson was a fascinating trial to watch....followed by Oscar P..


All I recall about that case was the LIVE Action car chase and the I’ll fitting ‘glove’


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[rusticgal]

All I recall about that case was the LIVE Action car chase and the I’ll fitting ‘glove’


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We found it intriguing from start to finish…

[jet]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-65141013

Oscar Pistorius's bid for parole collapsed in South Africa after it was revealed he had not yet served enough time to qualify for early release.
The 36-year-old former Paralympian is serving 13 years for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013.
………embarrassed officials admitted their timings had been wrong.
Earlier this week, they had received, but ignored, a letter from South Africa's top appeals court, which explained that Pistorius needed to spend another year and a half in prison before he could be considered for parole.
………..
I hope he still isn't released when his parole is next considered. 13 years isn’t nearly enough for what he did...

[rusticgal]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-65141013

Oscar Pistorius's bid for parole collapsed in South Africa after it was revealed he had not yet served enough time to qualify for early release.
The 36-year-old former Paralympian is serving 13 years for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013.
………embarrassed officials admitted their timings had been wrong.
Earlier this week, they had received, but ignored, a letter from South Africa's top appeals court, which explained that Pistorius needed to spend another year and a half in prison before he could be considered for parole.
………..
I hope he still isn't released when his parole is next considered. 13 years isn’t nearly enough for what he did...

Couldn’t agree more….another set back for him thinking he would return to the luxury of his uncles mansion…

[hijaxers]

Yes very pleased his parole request was denied. He needs to do his time.

[Niamh.]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-65141013



Oscar Pistorius's bid for parole collapsed in South Africa after it was revealed he had not yet served enough time to qualify for early release.

The 36-year-old former Paralympian is serving 13 years for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013.

………embarrassed officials admitted their timings had been wrong.

Earlier this week, they had received, but ignored, a letter from South Africa's top appeals court, which explained that Pistorius needed to spend another year and a half in prison before he could be considered for parole.

………..

I hope he still isn't released when his parole is next considered. 13 years isn’t nearly enough for what he did...13 years is a slap in the face for Reeva and her family.

[Livia]

He should stay where he is. Forever..

[jet]

13 years is a slap in the face for Reeva and her family.

And to think that in 18 months he could be free if parole is granted, which is likely.. He will have served less than 7 years. What sort of justice is that for Reeva and her family….absolutely disgusting.