www.thesouthafrican.com
4 - 10 June 2013
Issue 517
‘BLADE RUNNER COULD GO FREE’
Leaked photos of blood-soaked crime scene could wreck prosecution’s case against Oscar Pistorius, accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, says former investigator by STAFF REPORTER
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OSCAR Pistorius, who will appear in court today for a pre-trial hearing, could go free because leaked photos of the crime scene might wreck the prosecution’s case against the athlete. This was the view of Hilton Botha, the original investigating officer who allegedly contaminated evidence and was later removed from the case when it was revealed that he himself faced two murder charges. On Friday, Sky News broadcast graphic images of the bloody bathroom where Pistorius shot his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, before even Pistorius’ defence team was able to see them. One of the photos shows the toilet in Pistorius’ Pretoria house largely covered in blood, another presents the trail of blood from when he carried the injured Steenkamp downstairs after she was shot. There is also a panel missing from the toilet door, and two police markers indicating bullet holes below the door handle, which backs up Pistorius’s claim that he was not wearing his prosthetic legs at the time of the shooting. The photographs also show a present Steenkamp planned to give Pistorius for Valentine’s Day, along with a card signed ‘Ozzy ’- her nickname for him. The main picture appears to show footprints
in the blood. During Pistorius’s bail hearing Botha admitted walking around the scene without protective foot covers. However, Botha told Vanity Fair that his professional standing and reputation came under fire because he had not been able to consider that Pistorius had thought Steenkamp was a burglar. Botha told Sunday People he believed the photos were taken by a ‘corrupt policeman’ within 48 hours of the shooting because on the Saturday (following the shooting) he took the toilet door down and sent it away for forensics because he knew that anyone could come in and take pictures. Botha said he had heard money was being offered for pictures of the scene. Botha said the only place a continued on page 2
INSIDE:
p2, p8 | Rand plummets to 4-year low as SA growth forecast darkens p3 | South African to braai every day for a year in aid of rhino charity p12 | Summer Sizzler Guide to SA shops in the UK: Where to get your braai meat, biltong and beers
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