Defence opens Pistorius trial case
The defence in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial has opened its case, calling a pathologist as its first witness.
Professor Jan Botha was giving evidence at the High Court in Pretoria today following four weeks of prosecution-led testimony and a week’s adjournment after one of the judge’s aides fell ill.
Prof Botha was allowed to give evidence first and ahead of Pistorius in an agreement with prosecutors because of a family illness. Defendants who choose to testify normally go first in South Africa.
Pistorius is expected to give evidence after Prof Botha and explain his version that he shot Reeva Steenkamp dead by mistake on Valentine’s Day last year, thinking she was an intruder in his home.
The double-amputee athlete is charged with premeditated murder over the night-time killing and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
