The Cross Examination: Athlete breaks down in court...

News Rap: Gruelling Moments:  Day 3, Oscar murder trial continued.   Oscar version of Events- 2`1st day, Friday 11.  A lot of discrepancy in Oscar's version.  ''I got a gun and I told Reeva to get down and get the police'',  said Oscar Pistorius.

                                                                       Adv Gerrie Nel

''It's so improbable that you can't remember''; said State Prosecutor Nel who was asking about the incident on highway.  Oscar claim he was shot at on the highway, and  he can't recall who he called and fetch him that night.

Ne3l again probed 2012 incident; Pistorius  was in altercation with Van der Burgh.  Explained the altercation which took place at Khayalami driving event centre.  Oscar was adamant he didn't threaten anyone at the event.



Adv. Nel asked about the moment before shooting Reeva Steenkamp: February 14, 2013.

                                      
Nel: You reasonable thought an intruder came through the toilet window and lock the door? Pistorius: My Lady I heard a door slam... my intention was to make someone flee not kill.  Nel: She was talking to you when you shot her.  Nel: You will not convince a court that she said nothing.  Pistorius: Reeva didn't scream... shots were too loud .  Nel: You never perceive anyone coming through the door.

Adv Gerrie Nel continued; You walk through the danger, why did you approach the danger? You say you're vulnerable, but why did you go towards the danger?  Why didn't check up with Reeva first when you heard the noise?  ''Reeva did you hear that''?  Pistorius: I never heard her response.  Nel: ...And that didn't bother you?

A  denim was on top of the duvet not on the bedroom floor.  The state argued that, whereas defence saay things were moved by police or tempered with...(contaminated).  Pistorius: The photographs are inconsistent.  If it was on top then Col van Rensberg's version is wrong.  During cross  examination, Judge Masipa told Adv Nel to mind his languege; ''you don't call the accused a liar while still on the witness dock.  Then, few minnutes later court adjourned for tea.  After tea, court adjourns shortly as the blade runner broke down once again.  Court resumes today.

Addition: 14 April 2014

Pistorius Evidence in chief : 'I whispered to Reeva to call the police...in a low tone'. 

Nel: On Friday you didn't mention that you've whispered.  Nel: You see, you are trying to stir the truth.  Pistorius: I made a mistake my lady, I'm sorry I don't follow Mr Nel's evidence in chief statement.  Nel: You choose to use a low tone, not whispering.  Pistorius: I made a mistake, because it was not put to me like that ''evidence in chief''.
Nel nailing Pistorius 'Lies' _ Nel says Pistorius is concocting his evidence.  The athlete breaks down few times during cross examination.  Emotional as he continue to testify.  ''I understand this doesn't sound rational'', said Pistorius.  He kept changing his version on what happened leading  the shooting in the early hours of Valentines day.  Nel repeated questions to Pistorius about the morning he shot Reeva.  {edited}

sources consulted: SABC, eNCA and ANN7

By Nell Portia


  


 

Gruelling Moments

This Week: Crazy Dewani arrived in South Africa

He appeared briefly in the Western Cape High Court, 12:38pm. Dewani's case was postponed to May 12.  State and Defence have agree that  Shrien Dewani needs extra medical care. Family, including Dewani's parents attended his first appearence in court.  Meanwhile, he will be held in General Unit at Valkenberg Psychiatric hospital.  Charges against him are, conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice.  Tax money is being used once again ''to pay Dewani's travel expenses''!!!

Oscar Pistorius Murder case resumed on Monday 7.

19thDay  'I heard noises from toilet and fired shots'

On Tueday 8,Image og bathroom window was shown in court.  From day 1,the blade runner broke down in court.  He is emotional as he continues to give testimony.  'Reeva died before the ambulance arrive, there was nothing I could do.  I felt her blood running down me.  I was crying I didn't want to talk to anyone', said Pistorius. 

Defence Adv. Barry Roux focused on the night of 13th February 2014,to what exactly happend. Shooting at the resturant:  Pistorius claims he offereded to pay for the damages caused by Darren Fresco's firearm at the resturant. Claims he did not know that the firearm was charged.

13th February 2013; ''Dinner after seven oclock(pm), Reeva cooked and after wards, we sat chatted about our day''- explained Pistorius.  Later on they went to sleep.... around 9 to10 pm. I locked bedroom dooor after Reeva came inside, said  Pistorius.  I coudn't sleep,I heard the sound of window opening.  I frozen, thought somebody came in through a bathroom, and first thing that came in mind ''I needed to arm myself
and protect me and Reeva first'', said Oscar Pistorius.

Pistorius: Before I got to the passage, I heard a door slam; that's when I thought burglars are in the bathroom or have gained entry through bathroom window.  Yesterday, he was asked to demontrate with acricket bat.  Later on stage, when State prosecutor Nel cross-examine Pistorius who failed to compose himself; avoided to answer questions and said everything was tempered with...moved from their original spot.  He broke down again,when been questioned about the watermelon known as (zombie stoppers) at the shooting spot.  Warning!!! graphic image of Reeva's head was shown in court and Nel persisted Pistorius to watch the image.  He apologized to Reeva's family and friends for shooting and killing her.

News Abroad: You have heard by now, US Health Care secretary Kathleen  Sebelius  to 'resign'

Australia Cyclone category 4 storm headed for NE coast of Cains

And Malaysia updates: It's more than a month since bowing MH370 disappeared.  New development from Australia, a connection from the black box.  

Love Liberates, It doesn't bound

News Rap: News Updates; Recap

News Rap: News Updates; This Week.. ''Know that man is influenced by his deeds and all his heart and all his thoughts continually pursue the deeds in which he is engaged, whether for good or bad''- Zachariah Fedel



The Oscar Trial:  15th Day State witness, Captain Francois Moller was on the stand.  Moller is a police cellphone analyst.  He studied and compile cellphone messages of the deceased and that of Pistorius.  90% of the text messages were found to be romantic; nothing was found incriminating Oscar's text messaging to Reeva Steenkamp.

                                                     Oscar and Lawyer Roux

''I am scared of you sometimes, and how you snap at me and how you react to me'', said Reeva Steenkamp

CCTV-footage shown of Oscar and Reeva kissing as evedence in court.  Then, the trial adjourned.  State closed it's case agains Pistorius on Tuesday 25.  Defence Adv. Barry Roux was granted two days to call 2 more witnesses, and postponement was due today.  The court reseme today, shortly into session Judge Thokozile Masipa announced that ''one of my assessor is sick-hospitalized...we can't proceed''.  The court will resume on the 07th April, 2014.



Breaking News: A nine-year old girl who was raped and set alight in Delft -Cape Town, died last week.  She will be buried this weekend.  She past away from injuries she sustained from the attack in January 2014.



U.S-WASHINGTON  mudslide_Natural Disaster: 90 people still missing



On Wednesday night, Snohomish Country Emergency management Director John Pennington told reports that number of people were uncounted  for had dropped to 90 from 176 the previous day, as dozens of the people were found to be alive and well.  35 people are listed as having an unknown status, because authorities have been unable to determine whether they were in the area at the time of the mudslide.


''We need to take a step back and look at the magnitude of what happened'', Mr Pennington said.  - reports by bbc.com on 27 March 2014.

Survivors were last pulled alive from the mud on Saturday.  Death toll reached 16- update on March 26.


Updates:  Malaysian announced plane lost at sea- search moved to a 'new' phase.  The Malaysia Airline flight MH370 plunged into the Indian Ocean carrying 239 passengers three weeks ago.  The search was temporarily called off on Tuesday 25, due to bad weather.  Meanwhile, the families still seek answers from Malaysia government.  On the other side, the Chinese government called for Malaysia to release all the satalitte data it used to conclude that the plane was lost.  Xi Jinping, the Chinese president said he would send a special envoy to Kuala Lumpur.



Health


Guinea Ebola outbreaks spread to neighbouring countries such as Liberia and Sierra Leon.  Precocious measures alerted to other countries, especially in Africa.



keep reading, updates coming soon..

News Updates; This Week..

Did you Know? World Wide Web-(www) celebrated 25 years on Wednesday 12.
 
SPORTS

#Khosi4Life

ABSA Premier League:  It's a derby tomorrow, Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.  Chiefs were beaten by Platinum Stars during the week 2-0!  Stars knows how to handle Pirates and Chiefs especially when it rains...  While Pirates have Vermezovic  as the new head coach, and former Kaizer Chiefs coach... who will be outplayed?

 Orlando Pirates and Belgium footballer Andile Jali nearly lost his life this past weekend in a car accident.  By the Lord's Grace, he survived.  His teammate Rooi Mahamutsa was involve in a car accident as well.   

Tennis- Indian Wells:

                                                              Roger Federer

Roger Federer defeated SA's Kevin Anderson 6-1 in the quarter finals.  Whiles, Top seed Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Thomas Hass to mention few; are out of the tournament.

Women;  Top seed Li Na overcame Dominika Cibulkova 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to advance to the semi-finals of Parabas open.


Oscar Trial: Court adjourned as autopsy evidence makes Pistorius ill, Monday 10.  ''He closed his ears with tissues and gagging noises were heard from the dock as pathologist Gert Saayman was giving graphic evidence of the wounds suffered when Pistorius shot her dead''- Lawyer Barry Roux was granted an adjournment-  Source @timesmedia.co.za and @eNCA.com channel.

                                                                 Oscar Pistorius

On Friday 07, Pistorius Ex-girlfriend Samantha Taylor was on stand. Taylor was overwhelmed with emotions as she testify against Ex-boyfriend and murder accused Oscar Pistorius. She explained her relationship with the paralymphian as unhealthy one. ''He cheated on several accounts'', said Taylor. When asked whom he cheated with? Reeva Steenkamp was the answer, for their breakup.

Advocate Barry Roux asked Taylor 'how she felt when they broke up', once again she cried for the second time. Then, court adjourned for the second time as Taylor was emotional. Back in court, Roux continue to ask if ever there was an intruder when she slept at Pistorius's home? ''No, when I slept there''; He(Oscar) would wake me up when he hears noise and ask me if I heard anything'', said Samantha Taylor. Samantha Taylor was called to testify because, she was the 1st witness of reckless gunshots Pistorius fired- she witnessed him fired the shot out of the sunroof, shortly after police stopped them.


to be updated..

''Reviews&Updates- This Week...

I wanted him to see me.  I'm the mother of Reeva.  I can't explain that to you why, that's what I WANTED to do today.  He just walked into the courtroom and looked straight ahead.  And then he sat down and never looked my way.  I've got to depend on the Justice System that we get justice and we get answers.  I've got confidence in that....''- June Steenkamp, Reeva's mother.

Meanwhile, last week- Pistorius's Ex-girlfriend Samantha Taylor testified in court.  Overwhelmed by emotions, court had to adjourn twice.  ''Oscar and friend only laughed after Oscar fired the shot out of sunroof'', said Samantha Taylor on Friday 07.  Then the defence probed incident in which a car followed Oscar and Samantha to his Estate entrance.  He then held a gun at driver's window of the car which sped off after that.

Version Of Lies

At the beginning of questioning, it seem as though Fresco was covering for his friend-  Who's lying between Taylor and Fresco?

On Tuesday 11, Darren Fresco-Oscar's friend was on stand.   He testified that when stopped by Metro police; ''Pistorius rudely addressed metro policeman to call him Mr 'Pistorius' with a good pronunciation'', said Fresco.  Pistorius's character revealed in court, which includes rude and arrogance.  Now, the damning question is ''why would Taylor implicate or lie.  Is Darren Fresco a reliable witness?  Obvious someone is lying, and he knows himself.

Pathologist Gert Saayman completed his testimony on Tuesday 11, but arguments over when did Reeva ate- approximately 2hours before her death and over how bullets affect body. -sources by ANN7.COM, SABC channel, timeslive.co.za and eNCA..com

''I don't remember my Lady'', said Darren Fresco, who had no answers in most questions.  He had no explanation in providing evidence...  ''I cant remember, I don't remember, I can't explain that- If I could and If I should remember, I would do that'' famous words used by Fresco!!!! What a moment*

 

                                                  Vermeulen demonstrate

Day 8&9, Forensic Expert/Analyst  Col. Gerhard Vermeulen was the 12th witness on stand.  He have 29 experience and 21 years of those are practical ones.  Bathroom door was displayed in court, Vermeulen said Pistorius was on stumps when he shot and killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp not on his prosthetic legs.  There are two marks on the door, with different angles and gunshots marks.  The third mark was difficult to determine because of harsh marks, looks like a heavy metal was used in vain of trying to open the door.  Evidence revealed in court are as follows:

• Cricket Bat was produced as evidence
• Cricket Bat matches the marks on the door
• Bat used to strike at the bathroom door

                                                             stressed Pistorius

Then, former station commander in chief Lt. Col .Schoombie van Rensburg was the 13th state witness.  He resigned last year December after crucial evidence went missing.  Sensitive viewers were warned due to graphic visuals^.

News Updates:  Search for three missing children still on.  The three boys went missing while playing-Mamelodi, Pretoria. It believed that the boys were swept away by heavy storm while playing.  Heavy rains across South Africa.... be careful out there.

News -INTERNATIONAL

Missing Plane:  Malaysia plane is still missing, but the search continues.  ''Search efforts will continue and we 'will not give up', says China's Premier.  Malaysian and Vietnamese search teams can't find debris from satellite pic. 

Aljazeera Journalists detained in Egypt.  The three journalists have been in prison for 75 days so far. - updates visit Aljazeera.com/free journalists.  We'll keep you informed.

Welcome To The Month Of March...

''I see you Marching  from shame to fame, I see you marching from poverty to riches, I see you marching from sickness to health, I see you marching from grass to grace, I see you marching from cursing to blessing''  Oh Lord, my God...I see you shining like the stars in the sky and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you!!! -Unknown author

 Share this.. #Love and #Kisses 


News: Oscar's Trial got underway, the Gauteng High Court started with some drama on Tuesday 04, court was adjourned when one of the channel show/reveal 1st witness face on social network-twitter and Beeld {Afrikaans} newspaper published the picture.

Michelle Burger, first witness did not allow Advocate Barry Roux intimidate her testimony.  Roux asked times and times, repeated questions trying to contradict and confuse Burger.  Whereas, Burger was adamant of her statement and credibility, stood firm when answering Roux's questions.

Hard to take in all, Burger ended her testimony in tears- How Reeva Died?

Sports: Cricket, Smith Bid Farewell

South Africa, Graeme Smith took a bow.  On Monday 03, Smith announced his retirement to the media and colleagues.  Captain retired from International Cricket after a final Test against Australia match at Newlands, Cape Town yesterday.

The 33 year-old made his debut at Newlands at the tender age of 18.  Where it all began, his career took off them and leadership skills started to represent itself.  ''This has been the most difficult decision I have ever made in my life.  It's a decision that I have been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year'', said Smith.

                              Aus captain Michael Clarke shake Graeme Smith's hand.

Age 22, he captained the Proteas _2001-2014.  Smith led his side to two series win in Australia and triumph in England in 2012 that took the team to the summit of world cricket.

• Test debut against Australia in 2002 at Newlands.
• Made debut at age 22
• Made double centuries in consecutive test -277 at Edgbaston and
• 259 at Lords, England 

On Tuesday 04, Aus captain Clarke and team mates made a guard of honour to salute and bit farewell to Graeme Smith.  ''I didn't enjoy much of today to be honest, it was a long day and it was getting pretty close at the end'', Australia captain Michael Clarke said at the post-match presentation.  ''South Africa has always been the hardest challenge for me as an individual player and this series was no different'', added Clarke.

Batsman David Warner was named man of the match and of the series.  Aus bowlers, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris have been exceptional and Lyon has been great in the series as well.  SA's AB de Villiers scored (43), Faf du Plessis (47), JP Duminy and Vernon Philander unbeaten 51 couldn't save the game.  They have showed resistance towards  Aussie bowlers!

''We have certainly been outplayed in this test match, but we still found a way to take it as deep as possible''- Graeme Smith

                                                            Australia Squad- Winners

 
05 March: Australia 2-1 SA at Newlands, Cape Town.

Football:  Brazil beat South Africa (Bafana Bafana) 5-0, at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday.  An International Friendly match ended without SA SCORING even a single goal!!! What was that?  Really 'our football' squad is failing tremendous, and what is left; will they ever score goals? The New kit didn't produce goals...SOS

By Nelly Portia