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

Answer 1

1. Oscar Pistorius: Pistorius was the accused in the trial, known for his Paralympic and Olympic achievements. He was charged with the murder of Reeva Steenkamp at his residence in Pretoria.

2. Reeva Steenkamp: Steenkamp was the victim, a South African model, and girlfriend of Pistorius. She was fatally shot by Pistorius at his Pretoria home.

3. Judge Thokozile Masipa: Masipa was the presiding judge in the High Court of South Africa. She was responsible for overseeing the trial, evaluating the evidence presented, and delivering the verdict.

4. Assessors Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko: Judge Masipa appointed these two assessors to assist her in evaluating the case. Assessors are experienced legal professionals who provide guidance to the judge during the trial.

5. Gerrie Nel: Nel was the state prosecutor representing the prosecution. His role was to present evidence and arguments against Pistorius, aiming to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

6. Witness: During the trial, a witness, who was a neighbor of Pistorius, testified that she heard a loud argument shortly before shots were fired. The witness's testimony provided crucial evidence for the prosecution.

It is important to note that the trial process involves other participants such as defense lawyers, court officials, and the jury (if applicable), although the information provided does not mention their specific roles in this case.