Pistorius, Guilty Or Not Guilty?

[saintpeter48]

Guilty or not guilty, so far? Personally I think he is nailed on guilty, from what i've seen and heard, quite a lot, i go with the prosecutions version of events on that terrible night, they had an argument, she wanted to leave, locked herself in the bathroom, he lost his temper, red mist came down and he shot her, i just cannot believe that she didn't say anything or make any sort of sound in his version of the story, it doesn't make sense.

[ladybirder]

I must have missed that bit about him forgetting his own PIN; I know he didn't know Reeva's PIN when he picked her phone up from the bathroom floor and had to go and get his own phone. Why would Reeva take her phone to the bathroom, I mean really, do YOU take your phone to the loo in the middle of the night? (I know someone here will say they do - groan.)
I don't think he's guilty as charged of premeditated murder but I think he is guilty of murderering her.

[ummmm]

I don't even take my phone to bed.

[jomifl]

He tried to shoot someone, he succeeded, she died .....murder.

[Prudie]

I think he did deliberately mean to kill her in some fit of pique. Nothing adds up to normal behaviour - if you thought there was an intruder in the bathroom firstly wouldn't you wake/look for your sleeping partner?
I'm not sure what the verdict will be but I'm afraid it might not be the same as it would be for an unknown in the same situation.

[Ratty2E]

Royfromaus, I think that was a prosecution witness being cross examined by the defence lawyer. As I understand it the defence has still to call some witnesses to give their evidence.

[ladybirder]

Don't you Prudie? I would agree if it was a jury deciding as you will get the 'star struck' included but with a judge deciding, that shouldn't happen.

[ethelburga]

Murder, but not premeditated.

[Prudie]

I'm just not sure LB. I would hope not but look at the OJ case.

[ummmm]

OJ never admitted to doing it. We know for a fact the Oscar did kill her.

[royfromaus]

Thokozile Masipa used to be a social worker, I never have trusted social workers.

[ladybirder]

But wasn't OJ's case trial by jury?

[ladybirder]

She has certainly been solicitous of OP's welfare roy.

[woofgang]

ladybirder people take their phones to the loo at night to use the screen as a torch, it saves putting lights on. There are even torch apps you can get that just show a bright white screen.
So far as whether he's guilty or not I don't know but what he does and does not remember is no evidence either way. Its amazing what details do stand out in your mind after really shocking experiences, and what people can say or do or forget in the heat of the moment.

[royfromaus]

So far as whether he's guilty or not I don't know but what he does and does not remember is no evidence either way.


It's just a pity that just after shooting his girlfriend stone dead, he can't recall a phone call saying to a concerned guard '"everything is fine"
Things would be so much clearer... ah well.

[EDDIE51]

HE IS GUILTY !
That is not what the trial is about ,he has already been convicted of murder, this trial is only to decide if it is 'premeditated murder' or 'culparable homicide' There is no chance of a not guilty as he is already guilty . The diffrence is in the length of sentence life for premeditated murder or 15 years for culparable homicide.
Manslaughter is not an option there is no such offence in South Africa.

[EDDIE51]

He was convicted of murder last year , that verdict is NOT in dought or being appealed . As I said this trial is ONLY to decide what class of murder it is.
There are only 2 possible verdicts ' premeditated murder' or 'culparable homicide'
he CAN NOT be found ' not guilty'

[tamborine]

Claims he "shot at intruder, left gun in bathroom to return to Reeva in bedroom"

Anyone 'defending' themself would not drop their gun. OP knew whom he killed

[venator]

He has always had a high profile in SA, so every juror will have opinions about his character. He comes across as a very self centred, unlikeable high achiever.

This may count against him, but jurors may bend over backwards to counter this prejudice.

The OP's "red mist" proposition sounds pretty likely, so not premeditated and a jail sentence?

[EDDIE51]

^^^ there are NO juries in South African courts, the case is decided by a Judge with help from two assesors.