Pistorius manager takes the stand

Pistorius manager takes the stand

Murder-accused Oscar Pistorius planned to take his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp to two of his athletics meetings in Manchester and Brazil, the High Court in Pretoria heard on Tuesday.

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Pistorius's agent Petrus van Zyl testified it was the first time the athlete had asked a girlfriend to accompany him to sports meetings.


"I [Pistorius] actually want Miss Steenkamp to see what my world is really about... so she can understand why I sometimes cannot come with her to certain events and functions," Van Zyl said Pistorius had told him.


Pistorius took his glasses off, rubbed his eyes, and clenched his jaw while Van Zyl testified.


Barry Roux SC, for Pistorius, asked Van Zyl about when the travel plans were made. He said the plans were discussed on February 7, 2013 while he was visiting the athlete to plan their year. This was seven days before 

Pistorius shot and killed Steenkamp.


Pistorius leaned forward and looked down as Van Zyl explained that Steenkamp would accompany the athlete's team to an exhibition race in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on March 31.


The two had planned to invite the model to a sporting event in Manchester, United Kingdom, and an Andrea Bocelli concert in Tuscany, Italy.


The pair called Steenkamp to tell her the news. Pistorius gave Van Zyl the phone to give her the good news via a video call.


"She was very excited," Van Zyl told the court.


Pistorius is charged with murdering Steenkamp on February 14 last year.


He shot her through the locked door of his toilet in his Pretoria home, apparently thinking she was an intruder about to open the door and attack him. She was struck in the hip, arm, and head. After firing the shots, Pistorius used a cricket bat to break open the door to get to a dying Steenkamp.


He has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder as well as not guilty to three firearm-related charges.


The State argues he killed her during an argument.

 

 

 

 

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