We heard the accused was most likely on his stumps NOT his prosthetic legs when he fired the fatal shots - and found a judge fed-up with time-wasting
Day 12 of the Oscar Pistorius trial was slightly stop-start - but no less fascinating.
After a delayed beginning, police crime scene photographer Bennie Van Staden was back on the stand and spent the best part of the day's session being cross-examined by defence lawyer Barry Roux.
It closed with police force ballistics expert Captain Mangena talking about bullet trajectory as the prosecution continued to set out its case against the Paralympic star.
Here's what we learned on day 12.
1. Oscar Pistorius was PROBABLY on his stumps when he fired the fatal shots.
Captain Chris Mangena, ballistics expert for the South African Police Service was being questioned about bullet trajectories.
He testified that the bullet hole heights he found in the bathroom were marked A - 93.5cm B - 104.3cm. C - 99.4cm D - 97.3cm. Bullet B ricocheted.
Pistorius's shoulder height is 155cm WITH his prosthetic legs and 123cm without them.
The prosecution has begun to backtrack from its original assertion that Pistorius was on his prosthetics when he killed Reeva Steenkamp - and the evidence appears to support the athlete's claim that he was not.
2. Pistorius's defence lawyer Barry Roux suggests police tampered with evidence
In a head-to-head which seemed to last for most of today's session, Pistorius's defence lawyer Barry 'Rottweiler' Roux went after crime scene photographer Bennie van Staden.
He painstakingly went through photograph by photograph and pointed out that the cricket bat and gun had slightly moved from picture to picture.
His aim is to put doubt in the minds of the jury over the evidence against his client and create an impression of a chaotic and disorganised crime scene.
But perhaps the length of the cross-examination took away from its impact.
After his final question there were sighs of relief all round the court.
Nel says he has nothing further but Roux is now back on his feet to ask another question 'it's just one photo' he promises #Pistorius
- lucy thornton (@lucethornton) March 18, 2014
Roux's style, described by our own reporter in court Lucy Thornton, as 'bumbling poodle to snarling rottweiler in seconds' has been immortalised with this rap parody:
3. Oscar seemingly cannot face the evidence of Reeva's killing
Getty Images
Tears: A strained Oscar PistoriusOnce again, the mention of his girlfriend's fatal injuries brought sobs of sorrow from Oscar Pistorius.
He's yet to give evidence in the trial and there must be a concern as to how he'll handle being in the witness box.
Today, the court chose not to show graphic images of Reeva's wounds as Captain Mangena recounted how he found just one bullet inside the bathroom - meaning the other three hit the victim.
Pistorius covered his eyes, hunched over and kept his head down as he listened to a description of Reeva's injuries and bruises. Her mother, June Steenkamp, also in court, looked down too.
OP covers his eyes and June Steenkamp looks down as Reeva's injuries are described. #Pistorius
- lucy thornton (@lucethornton) March 18, 2014 4. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel likes a tea-break - but Judge Masipa has had enough of time-wasting
The start of the day 12 was delayed today as both sets of counsel spoke to the judge in chambers.
Then, at the end of the lengthy cross and re-examination of van Staden, state prosecutor Gerrie Nel seemed to be angling for an early finish.
He wanted to start afresh tomorrow with his next expert witness - Captain Mangena.
Judge gives him a long stare... and asks why... He's a technical witness says Nel. Judge still unconvinced. #OscarPistorius
- andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) March 18, 2014
But Judge Masipa was having none of it and is getting tough on time-wasting.
'Why is that a disadvantage? she asks Nel pointedly, when he suggested he'd rather not break-up Mangena's evidence.
I think Nel and Roux pestered each other to a draw today. Judge Masipa, on the other hand, had a blinder. #OscarPistorius
- andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) March 18, 2014 5. Different jurisdictions, different rules
Much like the Leveson inquiry's 'Woman on the left', unlikely characters can emerge from the biggest televised hearings.
The conduct of the interpreters during the trial has raised eyebrows.
Remember, an interpreter travelled to the wrong court building on day one on the most important day of her career. And was then effectively fired by an exasperated witness who gave up speaking in her native Afrikaans and testified in English.
Today, an observant court-watcher spotted the interpreter (who mistook master copies for Mastercard earlier on) CHEWING GUM in court.
RT @cccretired: @AlexCrawfordSky how professional interpreter chewing gum. Yes, she is. AC
- Alex Crawford (@AlexCrawfordSky) March 18, 2014
Make sure you are back with us tomorrow morning for day 13 of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial.
The trial continues.
Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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