Oscar Pistorius came under a vigorous cross-examination in court today, with prosecution lawyer Gerrie Nel saying “you approached the danger, it doesn’t make sense”.
The athlete was put under pressure today by Nel who argued that if Pistorius feared an attacker was in the house, he should have escaped through the balcony rather than approaching the bathroom.
However, Pistorius countered that his personality meant he went to tackle the situation head on.
“I was screaming for the persons to get out and for Reeva to call the police… there was no response from Reeva,” he said.
“I was frozen for a couple of seconds then I rushed to get my firearm next to the pedestal, then I got my firearm… told Reeva to call the police… I whispered to her. I did not look at her. I did not discuss the noise with her.”
Nel hit back at the Blade Runner’s version of events, saying “I find your instinct strange. Instinct one is to make sure Reeva was safe.”
Pistorius also detailed previous interactions that he had experienced with South African police and a number of burglaries that had taken place at his previous home but tripped on certain details, prompting Nel to add “I’m not convinced, I think you’re trying to cover a lie.”
Earlier this week, Pistorius made an emotional apology to Reeva’s family, saying “I can’t imagine the pain and the sorrow and the emptiness I have caused you and your family”.
