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Pistorius takes the stand: Live Report

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10:10 GMT - WELCOME TO AFP'S LIVE REPORT as star Paralympian Oscar Pistorius takes the stand for the first time as his murder trial resumes in Pretoria under the glare of the world's media.

The 27-year-old athlete is set to give his first account of why he shot dead his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day in 2013.

Lawyers began their defence case this morning and opened with the testimony of a forensic pathologist.

Judge Thokozile Masipa adjourned the trial a week ago after one of her assessors, a judicial assistant, fell ill.

Barry Roux called former state pathologist Jan Botha, who has carried out about 25,000 autopsies, to testify at the start of what is expected to be the first week of defence testimony.

Roux said he will call 14 to 17 witnesses in his case to testify on ballistics, urine emptying, damage to the toilet door, sound, and "disability and vulnerability."

Pistorius, who denies murder, has to explain why he fired four shots at Steenkamp through a locked toilet door at his home. He claims he mistook here for an intruder.

Stay with us for updates on all the key developments from North Gauteng High Court.

10:10 GMT – WELCOME TO AFP’S LIVE REPORT as star Paralympian Oscar Pistorius takes the stand for the first time as his murder trial resumes in Pretoria under the glare of the world’s media.

The 27-year-old athlete is set to give his first account of why he shot dead his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day in 2013.

Lawyers began their defence case this morning and opened with the testimony of a forensic pathologist.

Judge Thokozile Masipa adjourned the trial a week ago after one of her assessors, a judicial assistant, fell ill.

Barry Roux called former state pathologist Jan Botha, who has carried out about 25,000 autopsies, to testify at the start of what is expected to be the first week of defence testimony.

Roux said he will call 14 to 17 witnesses in his case to testify on ballistics, urine emptying, damage to the toilet door, sound, and “disability and vulnerability.”

Pistorius, who denies murder, has to explain why he fired four shots at Steenkamp through a locked toilet door at his home. He claims he mistook here for an intruder.

Stay with us for updates on all the key developments from North Gauteng High Court.

AFP
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With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

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