crimes and misdemeanors

Pistorius Testimony Turns Even More Brutal With ‘Zombie’ Video, Death Photo

South African Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius reacts during his trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, on April 7, 2014. An emotional Oscar Pistorius took the stand as a witness in his defence on April 7, fighting through tears to apologise to the family of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp for killing her on Valentine's Day 2013.
Photo: Themba Hadebe/AFP/Getty Images

The trial of Olympic sprinter and amputee Oscar Pistorius went from gruesome and wrenching to worse today, during a cross-examination of the star athlete, accused of murder for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. On his third day of testimony, Pistorius, who claims he shot through the bathroom door at who he believed was an intruder, faced a “blistering” prosecutor who “vowed to get the truth.” 

You shot and killed her. Say it: ‘I shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp,’” said Gerrie Nel. That much has never been in dispute.

The prosecutor also alluded to a video of Pistorius at a shooting range months prior to Steenkamp’s death. In the clip, Pistorius says, “It’s not as soft as brains but fuck it is a zombie stopper,” after shooting a watermelon.

It exploded. You know the same happened to Reeva?” said Nel, who held up a photo of the woman’s wounded head.

I was there,” said Pistorius. “I don’t have to look at a picture.”

Pistorius Testimony Turns Even More Brutal