Pistorius, Pretoria and Prosecutors

Question

The trial of Oscar Pistorius for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp (The State vs Oscar
Pistorius) in the High Court of South Africa in Pretoria opened on 3 March 2014.
Pistorius was an athlete with a disability who completed in multiple Paralympic
Games and the 2012 Summer Olympics. Steenkamp, a model, was shot and killed
by Pistorius at his Pretoria home.
The trial commenced from 2014 to 2016, Judge Thokozile Masipa appointed two
assessors, Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko, to help her evaluate
the case and reach a verdict. During the trial, a witness (a neighbour of Pistorius)
confessed that she had heard a loud argument in the early hours of the morning
minutes before shots were fired.
Hereafter, state Prosecutor Gerrie Nel claimed that Pistorius had put on his
prosthetic legs, walked across hiss bedroom to the bathroom, and intentionally shot
Steenkamp through the door. Nel argued that the time required for this process
was sufficient to establish the that the murder was premeditated.
In 2016, Pistorius was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 15 years
imprisonment.
Pistorius continues with his life in prison – and in 2017 footage was released of how
he and a notorious and dangerous gang member were playing football in the
communal court yard

4.2 Identify and elaborate on the different role players in the abovementioned trial
process of State vs Pistorius

Answer 1

The different role players in the trial process of the State vs Pistorius include:

1. Oscar Pistorius: He was the accused in the trial and his defense team presented his case, striving to prove his innocence and establish reasonable doubt.

2. Reeva Steenkamp: She was the victim in the case, and her family members were present during the trial to seek justice for her.

3. Judge Thokozile Masipa: She presided over the trial as the judge and was responsible for making legal rulings, evaluating evidence, and ultimately reaching a verdict.

4. Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko: They were the assessors appointed by Judge Masipa to assist in evaluating the case and providing guidance in reaching a verdict.

5. Gerrie Nel: He was the state prosecutor representing the interests of the state and presenting the case against Pistorius. Nel was responsible for examining witnesses, presenting evidence, and arguing that Pistorius was guilty of murder.

6. Defense team: Pistorius was represented by a team of defense lawyers who were responsible for presenting evidence and arguments aimed at proving his innocence or reducing his charges.

7. Witnesses: Various witnesses were called upon to testify during the trial, including neighbors, experts, and friends of Pistorius and Steenkamp, among others.

8. Media: The trial received extensive media coverage, and journalists played a significant role in reporting on the proceedings and providing updates to the public.

9. Public: The public, both within South Africa and globally, followed the trial closely, expressing opinions and emotions regarding the case. Public opinion and pressure can sometimes have an influence on legal proceedings.

It is important to note that this information reflects the role players up until the end of the trial in 2016. Any developments after that are beyond the scope of the given information.