Oscar Pistorius murder trial resumes with defence witnesses

A witness for the defence said that the athlete was screaming on the night of the shooting incident.

15:52 05 May 2014

The Oscar Pistorius murder trial has resumed after two-week break for Easter with a witness for the defence. 

 

John Stander, a neighbour and a friend, took the witness stand and said that he was the first person called by the athlete after the shooting incident on February 14, 2013 that lead to the untimely death of Reeva Steenkamp. 

 

He recalled that Pistorius was “screaming” and that he was “broken” as he carried his girlfriend’s body downstairs. 

 

Mr Stander, who went over with his daughter to the couple’s house, which is in the same gated community in Pretoria, said: “He was broken. He was screaming, he was crying, he was praying.” 

 

“He was desperate to save her [and] prayed to God.”

 

The trial has been marked by Pistorius repeatedly breaking down in anguish and vomiting in court. Because of his dramatic demeanor during the proceedings, claims that he has received coaching for his performance were raised by South African media. However, the family of the athlete strongly denied this.