Forensic cop confirms use of cricket bat
A police forensic scientist confirmed that a cricket bat was used against the door of the toilet through which Oscar Pistorius shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
"I came to the conclusion that these are indeed consistent with hitting the door, or bashing the door with a cricket bat," said Lt-Col Johannes Vermeulen in Pistorius's murder trial in the High Court in Pretoria.
Analysis showed that the Lazer English Willow, covered with signatures, showed "indisputable confirmation" that the bat was used against the door.
Pistorius has admitted shooting Steenkamp dead but said he thought there was an intruder in the house when he fired four shots through the toilet door while she was in there.
He then took a cricket bat to break the door down.
A mock-up of that toilet cubicle was set up in the courtroom and Vermeulen took off his jacket to demonstrate his findings on where the bat struck the door.
Pistorius has pleaded not guilty to murder and to charges under the Firearms Act.
- Sapa