Video cameras will be allowed in court for the upcoming Oscar Pistorius trial, following a ruling from a South African court.
Judge Dunstan Mlambo delivered his ruling in Pretoria High Court this week in response to requests from several local media broadcasters to air the trial live. While Judge Mlambo did not give permission to televise the entire trial, CNN is reporting that he indicated he would allow for the opening statements and closing arguments of the prosecution and defense to be broadcast on TV, in addition to police evidence and experts’ testimony. Live audio recording will be permitted for the whole trial.
In his ruling, Mlambo said the question of whether the trial should be televised showed the conflict between the right of the accused to a fair trial and the right to freedom of expression for the media and the principle of open justice.
“The justice system is still perceived as treating the rich and famous with kid gloves whilst being harsh on the poor and vulnerable,” the judge said.
“Enabling a larger South African society to follow first-hand the criminal proceedings which involve a celebrity, so to speak, will go a long way into dispelling these negative and unfounded perceptions about the justice system, and will inform and educate society regarding the conduct of criminal proceedings.”
The Olympic athlete will face trial on 3 March for the murder of model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year. Pistorius maintains that he accidentally shot the 29-year-old through a bathroom door after mistaking her for an intruder.
