South African Olympic hero Oscar Pistorius returns to court again on Thursday as his bail hearing continued.
On Wednesday, Pistorius's lawyer seemed to tear holes in the testimony of investigating officer Hilton Botha, who had to concede on a number of points.
And there was more controversy involving Botha on Thursday morning, as it was revealed that he was facing seven charges of murder. Botha was first charged in 2009, but the charges were then provisionally withdrawn. According to the NPA, the charges were reinstated on February 4 this year.
For a selection of tweets by journalists and others attending Pistorius's trial, see below. The magistrate is Desmond Nair, the state prosecutor is Gerrie Nel, while Pistorius is represented by Barry Roux. (NOTE: Keep refreshing your page to see the latest tweets.)
4th June next court appearance for #OscarPistorius
— andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nair: Accused shall not be charged with any abuse of women. Can't use any substance, alcohol etc. Several conditions.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 22, 2013
Nair is winding up #OscarPistorius for the day; court reconvenes at 10AM with reply from defence.
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nel the threats to Mark Bachelor and at Kyalami went unchallenged - because it's true. BB
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 21, 2013
Nel: His version must be "I wanted to kill someone." Only reason u fire 4 shots is to kill.Bound to be convicted of murder.
— andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) February 21, 2013
Nel: #OscarPistorius had to go to her side of bed to get gun and didn't say "Reeva." U want to protect her but don't even look at her.
— andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) February 21, 2013
Nair: does state rule out #OscarPistorius could have orchestrated crime scene? Nel: even planned murder could have immediate remorse.
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 21, 2013
Nel: Why would Reeva leave her phone outside toilet if she was going there to relieve herself? #OscarPistorius @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 21, 2013
Ten minute break, then prosecution will tell us why state thinks #OscarPistorius should be kept in jail for duration of trial.
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Defence: discharge of gun was accident and if that was used to deny bail, it wd be a 'terrible injustice'
— Alex Crawford (@AlexCrawfordSky) February 21, 2013Nair: there is evidence OP threatened to break legs; discharged weapon; swore at someone: charge laid against #OscarPistorius by his ex.
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 21, 2013
Nair: if established (that #OscarPistorius would interfere with witnesses) should he be released on bail? Refers to Tashas incident
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 21, 2013
Roux: nothing qualifies this as a section 6 crime. Why should he be further incarcerated in interest of justice? #OscarPistorius
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 21, 2013
And we are back...no word on what exactly the "threat" was. #OscarPistorius @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 21, 2013
Nair: appears to be a threat of some kind, let's adjourn. #OscarPistorius @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Roux: the firearm accidentally going off does not prove this is a person with a propensity to commit crime. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 21, 2013
Roux: "Oscar and Reeva) had a v strong, loving relationship." State've done nowt to prove otherwise, even with access to State machinery
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Roux asks Mag Nair to "reconsider your ruling & to find there exists no objective facts" to suggest premeditated murder.
— Niren Tolsi (@NirenTolsi) February 21, 2013
Roux: "Botha's evidence was extremely poor @ patently designed to bolster the state's case." #OscarPistorius Ouch.
— Toby Shapshak (@shapshak) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius crying for first time today, leant forward, face red, veins in temple pulsing.
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 21, 2013
Roux: "There was no possibility that the blood on the bat could have played any role other than that proffered by" Pistorius.
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Roux: He is an internationally known athlete. Why would he flee?
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 21, 2013
Roux: Botha is not a credible witness. We cannot say that he would tell the whole truth. #OscarPistorius @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 21, 2013
Roux: "It's for the State to tell us that it would be audible." (They haven't, Botha said he didn't know how easy it would've been to hear)
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 21, 2013
Nair: in "dead of the night", complete silence, with balcony door open, could heated argument have been heard far away? #OscarPistorius
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 21, 2013
Roux hammers state for using statement of witness who said she heard "noise like argument" hour before shooting, but couldn't ID voices
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 21, 2013
Nair: you do accept that WO Botha is not a ballistic expert? Roux: then he should've said he had no clue. #OscarPistorius
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 21, 2013
Roux: Botha conceded that standing at entrance of the bathroom, angle of shots fired would be consistent with the applicant's version.
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 21, 2013
Roux: #OscarPistorius took positive steps to save Reeva's life, that's why he called Netcare and carried her down stairs. @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 21, 2013
We're back: Roux says Botha admitted if Reeva had heard Oscar scream there was an intruder, her likely reaction wd be to lock loo door.
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Roux: the state's claim that the applicant lived in a secure estate has no value - violent crime in esates is well known. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius We're back after lunch with Adv Barry Roux continuing with his argument in support of Pistorius getting bail.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 21, 2013
We're adjourning for a 30 min lunch break. Oscar walks past, seems pretty calm again today. Tissues in hand unused #OscarPistorius
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 21, 2013
To translate: Roux implies cops decided #OscarPistorius is guilty, ignored his version, then ignored evidence that didn't point to guilt.
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 21, 2013
RT @adriaanbasson: Roux: evidence doesn't even show murder, not even Schedule 5 crime, onus should be on state to prove case #OscarPistorius
— City Press Online (@City_Press) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Roux: the poor quality of the evidence presented by the IO is evident of abuse of the Schedule 6 provisions. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 21, 2013
Roux says not only does the State have no evidence of premeditated murder, they have no evidence of murder- no intention to kill #Pistorius
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 21, 2013
Roux: Botha admitted forensic evidence doesn't contradict #OscarPistorius claims, couldn't show that he and Reeva not in love @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 21, 2013
Defence's Roux: state cannot factually contradict #OscarPistorius version of events - so he should get bail.
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Closing arguments begin with Roux getting stuck in.
— Niren Tolsi (@NirenTolsi) February 21, 2013
#oscarpistorius OP is crying quietly. Wiping nose, tears streaming down face
— Alex Crawford (@AlexCrawfordSky) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Investigating Officer Hilton Botha didn't face any questions about the pending charges against him. Curious.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 21, 2013
Botha leaves. He looks relieved. #OscarPistorius @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nel reads interview, Blade Runner uses it 4 months of year to train - purpose built athletics track & sauna at Italian spot
— Niren Tolsi (@NirenTolsi) February 21, 2013
Nel now producing Sarie women's magazine, with #OscarPistorius interview. He said he has a house in Italy.
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 21, 2013
Nel: The article refers to Pistorius being given a house in Italy. Roux: "He does not own any property abroad, not in Italy, not elsewhere."
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nel says he received a call from Botha telling him of a magazine article in which Oscar says he has a home in Italy. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 21, 2013
What Nair hasn't brought up are the charges Botha himself faces. Not clear if he's unconcerned, or still getting there. #OscarPistorius
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 21, 2013
RT @phillipdewet: Nair puts cops on the spot: "I find it a little bit just sounds to me like there was some lack of urgency" #OscarPistorius
— Mail & Guardian (@MG_Reporter) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Botha: I did give it to a guy who I know does it quickly but he went to Cape Town or something. It is being handled.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nair this incident took place on Valentines Day - did you obtain the detailed phone billing?Botha: I've asked for it. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Botha getting quizzed about the previous assault case against Pistorius which he dealt with that was withdrawn.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius Botha has been found. We're back. Nair asks Botha if he would have been a better witness if he had spoken in Afrikaans? Yes.
— Niren Tolsi (@NirenTolsi) February 21, 2013
When I met her, "mental state" lady was wearing magnificent black feather hat and carrying shopping bags. Today the bags were there, no hat.
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 21, 2013
Judging from his previous cases, prosecutor Nel doesn't like surprises. He must have been fuming about news re Botha. #OscarPistorius
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 21, 2013
Brother Carl Pistorius looking energised. Uncle Arnold Pistorius on mobile phone. Other family members huddled in discussion.
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 21, 2013
Magistrate Nair says he wants to see WO Botha. Is told he's in the building and prosecution will get him. Adjournment #OscarPistorius
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 21, 2013
Magistrate Nair: where is Botha now? Nel: he's in court building, he asked not be here. Nair says he wants Botha to be called. @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 21, 2013
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel: "It became known to me and my team yesterday that detective Hilton Botha faces seven charges of attempted murder..."
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 21, 2013
The mystery woman is told about procedure, collects her plastic bag and walks across the court to the exit. Nair frowns at it all.
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 21, 2013
They're currently hearing from her re whether shecan read motion-she says its a constitutional issue.Lawyers tell mag motion"makes no sense"
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 21, 2013
Odd delay as someone wants to address court - about a 'constitutional' matter. Eyebrows raised. #oscarpistorius
— Robyn Curnow (@RobynCurnowCNN) February 21, 2013
#OscarPistorius the case relies on a team and not on a single person - NPA on #Botha
— Mail & Guardian (@MG_Reporter) February 21, 2013
RT @adriaanbasson: New ace team of detectives for #OscarPistorius murder case in court, incl Mike van Aardt (Leigh Matthews, Anika Smit)
— City Press Online (@City_Press) February 21, 2013
Custody officer tells me #Pistorius in crying softly as he waits in the holding cell to come into court
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 21, 2013
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