Pistorius’ Murder Trial: Defence Witnesses Denies Hearing a Woman Scream

More witnesses are beginning to testify at the trial of South Africa Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius, as the defence team seeks to prove the double amputee killed his girlfriend by mistake.

Two of Mr Pistorius’ closest neighbours, Michael Nhlengethwa and his wife, Eontle, on Tuesday, contradicted prosecution witnesses testimony, saying they did not hear a woman scream.

Both next-door neighbour couple said they heard a man crying loudly on the night of Reeva Steenkamp murder.

Oscar Pistorius Jots Down Notes During His Murder Trial.
Oscar Pistorius Jots Down Notes During His Murder Trial.

“I saw Oscar kneeling next to the lady, he was just crying,” the witness said.

Eontle, also testifying said she heard the loud sound of a “male person’s voice” crying “help, help, help”.

A ballistic expert is expected to take the stand later on Tuesday.

Pistorius denies intentionally killing her and says he mistook her for an intruder.

The trial adjourned early on Monday after defence lawyer Barry Roux failed to get further witnesses to court following a two-week adjournment over the Easter Break.

If found guilty, the 27-year-old dubbed the ‘Blade Runner’ because of the prosthetic limbs with which he conquered the tracks- could face life imprisonment.

If he is acquitted of murder, the court must consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could spend 15 years in prison.

Miss Steenkamp was a celebrity TV star, a model, and law graduate.

Pistorius also faces charges of illegally firing a gun in public and of illegally possessing ammunition, both of which he denied.