Oscar Pistorius trial: Olympian vomits as court hears of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp's terrible gunshot injuries

 
Sobbing: Oscar Pistorius broke down in court as he heard details of Steenkamp's autopsy
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Oscar Pistorius shot his girlfriend with bullets that are designed to cause maximum damage and were once banned, his murder trial heard today.

The Olympic runner covered his ears with his hands and retched loudly as Reeva Steenkamp’s injuries were described in detail for the first time.

Professor Gert Saayman, the pathologist who conducted a post-mortem examination on the 29-year-old’s body, told the High Court in Pretoria that she was shot in the hip, arm and head and had injuries caused by shrapnel and splinters from the bullets going through a bathroom door.

He also said that a wound to her hand was possibly caused when she raised it to protect her face.

In the dock: Pistorius (Picture: AP)

Professor Gert Saayman said the “Black Talon” bullets, which were once banned in South Africa, were designed to “expand and mushroom” on impact. He said the bullet to Ms Steenkamp’s head had splintered and parts of it were embedded in her brain. Dr Saayman suggested that the model, who had been wearing grey Nike shorts and a black vest, would have not have drawn breath for long after the final bullet.

He said that Ms Steenkamp had had a meal about two hours before her death at 3am. Pistorius has said that the couple went to bed at 10pm.

As Dr Saayman gave evidence, Pistorius, 27, retched and threw up repeatedly into a bucket in the dock and sat rocking with his head bowed, clutching a handkerchief and wipes.

Friends of Ms Steenkamp wept in the public gallery during Dr Saayman’s testimony, which was banned by Judge Thokozile Masipa from being broadcast or tweeted due to its graphic nature.

Pistorius shot dead Ms Steenkamp at their home in Pretoria on Valentine’s Day last year. He denies murder.

Earlier today, the court heard that Pistorius phoned his security guard Pieter Baba minutes after the incident, but was unable to speak because he was sobbing.

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Barry Roux, his lawyer, said Pistorius made the first call for help, contradicting evidence from Mr Baba, who said he called Pistorius after shots were heard and was told “everything is fine”. Pistorius then called him back and was not speaking and just crying.

Mr Roux said phone records showed that Pistorius called security first at 3.21am, but could not speak.

The trial continues.

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