Oscar Pistorius thread

Gilly · 15 Feb 2013 at 11:09

This is a discussion thread allowing for news pieces, discussion on what happened, etc.

It is not a platform for sick jokes. Anything deemed extreme or OTT will result in suspensions without warning.

This is the third thread on this subject. Keep within the forum boundaries.

BBC News

South African Olympic and Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius wept in court as prosecutors said they would pursue a "premeditated murder" charge over the death of his girlfriend.

Gilly · 15 Feb 2013 at 13:06

Like fat people are jolly?

Gilly · 20 Feb 2013 at 15:27

Many people have already made a decision on whether he is guilty or not.

Some things don't seem to add up, some of them not in his favour. That doesn't make him guilty of murder.

We don't know enough to make a decision, though I would suggest that his reputation is damaged beyond repair whatever the outcome.

Gilly · 20 Feb 2013 at 15:33

molinari said:
Which is wrong. Regardless of who the victim was, he should be charged with murder as there was intent to do so when firing blindly through the door into the toilet.

SA and UK laws are very, very different.

C.R.A.Z.Y said:
Bang to rights, hope the scum-bag rots in hell

Ever heard a gun firing?

Ever heard the echo?

Gilly · 21 Feb 2013 at 12:50

C.R.A.Z.Y said:
Oscar is a cold blooded murderer, if he gets anything less than a murder conviction it'll be a horrendous miscarriage of justice and a complete embarrassment to the SA police and judicial system!

Yes, that's right. No jumping to conclusions or anything.

Gilly · 21 Feb 2013 at 12:58

Jono8 said:
Would you not check!!? It makes no sense!

Would you shoot into your closed toilet if you knew that at least one other person was living with you in your home and without making sure it is not them in that toilet. NO!

Not if you're sure they're behind you in another area of the house, and not if you know that anyone intruding into your home is likely to be hell bent on harming/killing you with what are likely to be lethal weapons.

It's the black of night, he's been woken, he's acting in a way that he believes is protecting himself and his mrs.

Either way is possible.

Gilly · 21 Feb 2013 at 13:01

Jokester said:
That's not what that says.

I assume he's saying that's what the prosecution say rather than the defence.

Not sure where it would come from, mind.

Gilly · 21 Feb 2013 at 13:19

Freakbro said:
There is always an answer and a million scenarios it could have been

...which is exactly why this:

C.R.A.Z.Y said:
Oscar is a cold blooded murderer, if he gets anything less than a murder conviction it'll be a horrendous miscarriage of justice and a complete embarrassment to the SA police and judicial system!

Is nothing short of horrendously stupid.

Jono8 said:
He was in the same room as her when he heard the noise that he thought was an intruder. I cannot fathom any reason why he wouldnt have checked that Reeva was still in the room in bed at this point.

'Any' reason? How about the fact that a potential killer could walk around the wall at any time?

That's off the top of my head.

Gilly · 21 Feb 2013 at 14:04

Safest, yeah, that makes sense.

When the guy on the other side of the door could very well have a sawn off or similar.

Gilly · 21 Feb 2013 at 14:24

Stupidity shouldn't be punishable by death/life imprisonment though.

Gilly · 21 Feb 2013 at 14:36

Jono8 said:
What he did (if his story was correct) was no different to something like death by dangerous driving in my opinion.

I don't agree, but even taking that as true doesn't mean he deserves death or a life in prison (if his story is true).

Gilly · 22 Feb 2013 at 09:30

I'm not surprised

Gilly · 22 Feb 2013 at 10:11

Spit said:
Cant believe his coach saying I hope he is back training next week! Cretin.

Gilly · 22 Feb 2013 at 10:45

Spit said:
Sorry, your right. The poor bloke, maybe a few massages as well to help soothe his soul.

Innocent until proven guilty.

Gilly · 22 Feb 2013 at 15:06

Spit said:
Exactly. Why do people keep saying that he might be innocent?

Innocent of what?

If it wasn't in any way premeditated I don't think he'll get any jail time :/

Spit said:
He KILLED his girlfriend and that is fact. She went up the chimney this week and he will be out running next week. That is a joke to me as the only thing up for discussion is whether he gets 15 years or life. Inbetween the time he gets a fair trial he should be locked up as there is still a risk that he is a nutter and shot her dead intently.

Unless you are right. Does an accidental killing in SA get you 15 years?

Gilly · 22 Feb 2013 at 15:08

Spit said:
He shot his girlfriend dead, not an intruder with a sword.

Shouldn't make a difference as to whether bail is granted or the defendant is held in custody.

Gilly · 22 Feb 2013 at 15:21

Spit said:
I can't even go there if he walks that will be a travesty.

The court room cheering as he gets temporary freedom. Whatever next!

Do people really not value life? Reeva was a young woman who had possibly another 50-60 years of life ahead of her. Think of all the experiences his actions (whether premeditated or not) have robbed her of.

Next we will have the religious lot saying don't worry she has gone somewhere better, although they never seem to be in a hurry to get there.

So, to put this into perspective, child wearing black at dusk or later runs out into a street after a ball, gets hit by a car and dies on the spot.

The driver needs to serve a jail term to the length of 15 years or the rest of their life?

If his story holds up to intense scrutiny I have every sympathy for him. To live with the knowledge that he has deprived his intended wife of life and himself the rest of his life with her will be purgatory.

Gilly · 22 Feb 2013 at 15:24

Basher said:
Is it not a little different? In your example, the driver never intended to kill ANYONE. In this example, Oscar DID intend to kill someone. Just perhaps not the person it ended up being ...

...which in his country is not unlawful.

Gilly · 22 Feb 2013 at 15:26

You and I appear to be talking with two voices and one mind

Gilly · 22 Feb 2013 at 15:30

Basher said:
What is the actual law around that? Is it never murder if they broke into your house?

It's very hazy. There are people that have walked away without any penalty whatsoever and there are those that have done hard time for, seemingly, the same offence.

You are allowed to fire upon someone (even in a public area) if you genuinely believe your life to be in danger. It is incumbent upon the defendant to prove that belief in their defence.