South African Olympic hero Oscar Pistorius returns to court again on Friday as his bail hearing continues.
On Thursday, both Pistorius's lawyer Barry Roux and state prosecutor Gerrie Nel attempted to convince Magistrate Desmond Nair why Pistorius should or should not be given bail.
On Friday morning Nel continues with his argument on why bail should be opposed.
For a selection of tweets by journalists and others attending Pistorius's trial, see below. NOTE: Keep refreshing your page to see the latest tweets.
#OscarPistorius OP will pay R1-million in bail. Will report to police station twice a week. Must surrender travel docs.
— Alex Eliseev (@alexeliseev) February 22, 2013
BREAKING: #OscarPistorius granted bail
— iafrica.com News (@iafricanews) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius: Stark reminder of what's happened here - Reeva Steenkamp's flatmate sitting to my left looking crushed
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nair I cannot find that the accused is a flight risk. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nair: Defence has failed to show weakness in the State's case.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 22, 2013
Nair clearly not happy that Botha failed to properly check #OscarPistorius phone records. @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 22, 2013
Nair: showing the state case is weak would constitute an exceptional circumstance (for bail). Hmmm. #OscarPistorius
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Adv Oldwage is blowing his sweaty hands. It's tense in here. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 22, 2013
Magistrate affirms schedule 6, exceptional circumstances apply. Now he has adjourned. Still no bail decision. Confusion in court. #Pistorius
— Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Aimee has her head on brother Carl's shoulder. Mag: I am not of mind to find him guilty of pre-med but thats for trial judge
— Alex Crawford (@AlexCrawfordSky) February 22, 2013
Nair quoting: Bail reduces number "clogging our already overcrowded correctional system" and does not deny breadwinners to families.
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 22, 2013
Nair quoting: "The issue is not guilt but where the interests of justice lie in relation to bail."
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 22, 2013
This is going to be the most boring part: Nair's statement on the legal niceties. But the good stuff follows right after. #OscarPistorius
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nair speaks to Botha's concessions around the distance of witnesses and whether they were neighbours.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 22, 2013
Nair: now recalling the previous incidents: accidental gun shot and profanity used. Matter settled out of court
— Eleni Giokos (@EleniGiokos) February 22, 2013
#0scarPistorius Nair again mentions findings of autopsy. Shot through head, hip and elbow, which broke the arm. @the_new_age
— Michael Appel (@TheMikeAppel) February 22, 2013
Nair begins summarizing the evidence of the ill-fated Hilton Botha - now former #OscarPistorius investigating officer @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius, Nair is now done going over the evidence for the defence. Will now review details of the state's case.
— Mail & Guardian (@MG_Reporter) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius OP sobbing and shaking as the magistrate repeats his friends' words about the couple being deeply in love
— Alex Crawford (@AlexCrawfordSky) February 22, 2013
Nair summarises affidavits of #OscarPistorius' friends.
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 22, 2013
For the first time, his brother Carl, mirroring his position on the bench behind him, looks like he too may cry. #OscarPistorius
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 22, 2013
#Pistorius shoulders shaking, tears falling.
— Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen) February 22, 2013
Nair: recaps #OscarPistorius' version of events - that state doesn't have facts to disprove his version.
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nair: the accused setout his personal circumstances, his family, friends, property, no previous convictions... BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 22, 2013
Now we get to the juice...Nair moves to #OscarPistorius evidence on affidavit. @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 22, 2013
Nair: this is an important bail application. The possibility existed that, if #OscarPistorius was kept in prison, result could be delayed
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 22, 2013
Nair now addressing why he allowed #OscarPistorius to be held in police holding cells - not in prison awaiting trial section @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 22, 2013
Pistorius with head down, hands holding tissue and trembling, looking vulnerable.
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nair wipes his nose several times as he starts explaining the schedule five vs schedule six argument.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 22, 2013
Nair: #OscarPistorius comes into court, and media treats him like "some kind of species the world has never seen before".
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 22, 2013
Nair: televised hearings can distort truth and can undermine trial. Distortions happen from edited highlight packages
— Eleni Giokos (@EleniGiokos) February 22, 2013
Magistrate dealing with ban on live broadcasting of events/pics of defendant etc #OscarPistorius
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nair begins. Explains sequence - start with media, then go to decision to keep OP in police cells. Then on to application.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius is looking straight at the magistrate, rather than down at his lap, for once.
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 22, 2013
Nair enters. And #OscarPistorius
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 22, 2013
Almost ready to go. Photographers chased out. #OscarPistorius
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 22, 2013
#Pistorius trainer is fanning air thru his shirt,woman beside him says she thinks she might cry. Carl and Aimee look tense to say the least
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 22, 2013
There is no set sentence for culpable homicide, prosecutors tell me. Up to judge to decide based on circumstances. #Pistorius
— Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Members of the Myers family in court this afternoon to listen to decision. Reeva lived with them.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 22, 2013
If #OscarPistorius doesn't get bail - which is highly unlikely - his lawyers will bring urgent bail appeal in Pretoria High Court.@encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius over heard in court, American journo: "you thought superbowl seats were hard to find, try this courtroom..." BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 22, 2013
Friends of #OscarPistorius' slained girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp accompanied at court by a private investigator. *interesting*
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 22, 2013
Fevered excitement and noise in court C as Pistorius family members and lawyers brace for decision, watched by photographers and TV crews.
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 22, 2013
General expectation here that #OscarPistorius will be getting bail somewhere in hundreds of thousands. Me, I'm not a betting man.
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 22, 2013
Yet to meet anyone who thinks #OscarPistorius won't get bail. Prosecution simply pushing defence to reveal their case before full trial.
— andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) February 22, 2013
Nair promises ruling at 2PM. A little over two hours from now #OscarPistorius will either be free, or behind bars for many months at least.
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 22, 2013
Nair thanks Nel and Roux for their summations. "I'm now in the unenviable position," of having to decide... at 2.30pm.
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 22, 2013
"When he goes through the security at the airport, at every time there is a commotion," Roux on #Pistorius prosthetics.
— Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen) February 22, 2013
RT @adriaanbasson: Roux says #OscarPistorius would have phoned for help from bathroom where Reeva was, not strange that phones were there
— City Press Online (@City_Press) February 22, 2013
Roux says Pistorius' actions, putting gun on bathmat when he realised R was in toilet, natural. OP is crying now, lips clamped tightly shut
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 22, 2013
Roux says if he were prosecuting this case, he'd argue for culpable homicide rather than murder #OscarPistorius
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 22, 2013
Nair: Even if an intruder, didn't Pistorius intend to kill? So what charge? Roux: "Culpable homicide."
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 22, 2013
Roux: cannot convert this into a planned murder. If court finds he acted as reasonable person, he will be acquitted. #OscarPistorius
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 22, 2013
Roux attacking Nel for 'transferring intent' - #OscarPistorius shot at burglar behind toilet door, not Reeva.
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Adv Barry Roux begins by saying the most crucial aspect of reply will be that state misinterprets assigning of intent.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Uncle and PR people deep in conversation in the public gallery. Defence team laughing heartily.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nel concludes argument. Roux to respond. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 22, 2013
Nel: courts can't treat people with disabilities differently. They can't treat famous people differently. #OscarPistorius @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 22, 2013
Nair: what kind of life would #OscarPistorius lead if he fled? Given prostheses? Nel: "A life of freedom. A life not in prison."
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 22, 2013
Nel:"we say the court should refuse bail, Pistorius gave an account that was totally improbable,we gave an account based on objective fact."
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nel drawing to a close: We say that the court should deny bail.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius family looking v downcast, bro Carl slumped forward, sister Aimee frowning, uncle Arnold shaking head. In dock, OP immobile.
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 22, 2013
Nel: there is no evidence about Reeva's bladder being empty. #OscarPistorius legal team had their own expert - but chose not to call him
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 22, 2013
Nel: we supposedly have this paranoid man who lived in fear of his life. But his balcony door, bathroom door and front door all open.
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 22, 2013
Nel: #OscarPistorius must realise that a conviction is likely. "He must realise that long-term imprisonment is almost guaranteed."
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 22, 2013
Nel: #OscarPistorius was protected too much. There's now a person dead. @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nel: there are previous incidents where the applicant threatened people with violence. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 22, 2013
Nel: put yourself in deceased's shoes. You are in a locked cubicle, someone fires blindly at you, four shots. #OscarPistorius
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 22, 2013
Nel: even President Jacob Zuma said in his SONA that we really need to prioritize crimes against women. We can't pay lip service @encanews
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 22, 2013
Nel deals with discredited witnesses who heard rows, shots: "You don't need to be an expert to be an eyewitness of where something was."
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Police in courtroom are listening intently to the prosecuting counsel. OP is crying
— Alex Crawford (@AlexCrawfordSky) February 22, 2013
Nel: Reeva's overnight bag and slippers on left hand side of bed, but #OscarPistorius says she slept on right hand side.
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 22, 2013
Nel: "The fact that we have one survivor of that tragic night is difficult for the state."
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 22, 2013
Nel: "On the available evidence Mr Pistorius was illegally in possession of ammunition. Even if it's his father's."
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 22, 2013
Nel: after shooting #OscarPistorius must have looked for Reeva. But he says he 'immediately' knew he shot Reeva. How?
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nel: she baricaded herself in the toilet for a reason - evade fight or gun.Both cases he armed himself. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 22, 2013
Nel: "I'm not saying the murder of Reeva Steenkamp was planned" days in advance. "It was planned that night."
— David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) February 22, 2013
Nel: "we agree #OscarPistorius cried at the scene, that he told people he thought it was a burglar. But crying, remorse, that's expected."
— Aislinn Laing(@Simmoa) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nel: on the witness statements - is it coincidence that a neighbour heard arguments, screems and shots? Improbable. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nel: On his version, she must have been in the toilet already when he came back carrying the fan. It is improbable.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 22, 2013
Oscar struggling to hold back tears, shaking and jaw clenched, as prosecutor describes Reeva in the toilet. #Pistorius
— Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nel: why would a person, at 3am, when hearing there's an intruder not scream out. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Nel: despite the concessions, the objective facts remain - the gun location, the cell phones. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 22, 2013
Nel: #OscarPistorius says he hasn't committed murder. Not seen any admission that he caused an unlawful death.
— Phillip de Wet (@phillipdewet) February 22, 2013
Nel emphasising that #OscarPistorius did not take court into his confidence by not telling the court 'here I am, I am innocent'
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Magistrate greets Pistorius and then everyone else. The Blade Runner takes his seat and looks up, eyes shifting around.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 22, 2013
The clank of the jail door opening, #Pistorius enters the courtroom, clatter of camera shutters.
— Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius Court room heaving again. Real sense of anticipation ahead of today's proceedings. Expectation of judgment this afternoon.
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) February 22, 2013
RT @adriaanbasson: Back at #OscarPistorius bail hearing. State should wrap up their argument in the next 90 mins. Family just entered court
— City Press Online (@City_Press) February 22, 2013
RT @adriaanbasson: Back at #OscarPistorius bail hearing. State should wrap up their argument in the next 90 mins. Family just entered court
— City Press Online (@City_Press) February 22, 2013
Back in the #Pistorius courtroom for what I dearly hope is the last day of his bail hearing.
— Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen) February 22, 2013
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