The trial of Oscar Pistorius for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp (The State vs Oscar

Question

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: The defendant in the trial, Pistorius was a well-known athlete with a disability who was accused of murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in Pretoria. He maintained throughout the trial that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder and shot her in self-defense.

2. Reeva Steenkamp: The victim in the case, Steenkamp was a model and Pistorius's girlfriend at the time of her death. She was shot and killed by Pistorius at his home.

3. Judge Thokozile Masipa: The presiding judge in the trial, Masipa was responsible for overseeing the proceedings, making legal rulings, and ultimately delivering the verdict.

4. Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko: These two assessors were appointed by Judge Masipa to assist her in evaluating the case and reaching a verdict. Their role was to provide their own perspectives and insights based on their expertise and experience.

5. Gerrie Nel: The state prosecutor in the trial, Nel presented the case against Pistorius on behalf of the state. He argued that Pistorius intentionally shot and killed Steenkamp, contending that the murder was premeditated.

6. Neighbor (witness): During the trial, a neighbor of Pistorius testified that she had heard a loud argument coming from Pistorius's house in the early hours of the morning, just minutes before Steenkamp was shot. Her testimony played a significant role in establishing the events leading up to the shooting.

7. Defense attorneys: Pistorius was represented by a legal team that consisted of defense attorneys. Their role was to challenge the state's case and present evidence and arguments in support of Pistorius's claim of self-defense.

8. Forensic experts: Various forensic experts were called as witnesses during the trial to provide scientific analysis and interpretation of the evidence, such as ballistics, blood splatter patterns, and gunshot residue.

9. Family and friends of Pistorius and Steenkamp: Both Pistorius and Steenkamp had their respective family members and close friends who were present in the courtroom as support and observers throughout the trial.

10. Media: The trial garnered significant media attention both nationally and internationally. Journalists and media organizations played a crucial role in reporting on the trial proceedings, analyzing the evidence presented, and shaping public opinion.