Pistorius trial: Steenkamp's arm amputated by gunshot

Описание: Forensic expert Roger Dixon describes Reeva Steenkamp's terrible gunshot injury to her arm as "an instant amputation" during the trial of South African Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius in Pretoria

Forensic expert Roger Dixon testified at the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius at the High Court in Pretoria today describing the horrific wound Reeva Steenkamp received to her arm would have acted "like an instant amputation".

Mr Dixon suggested that the bullet wound to the head happened as Ms Steenkamp was hitting the magazine rack. He said the first bullet hit her hip the second bullet hit her arm as she got up with her hand towards the door.

Mr Pistorius could be seen clasping his hands over ears as Ms Steenkamp injuries were detailed. Heinsists he killed Reeva Steenkamp accidentally after mistaking her for an intruder hiding behind a closed lavatory door.

On Tuesday he told the court he had pulled the trigger without thinking after hearing a noise behind the door, out of terror and fear that his and Steenkamp's lives were in danger.

State prosecutor Gerrie Nel, whose reputation as one of South Africa's toughest attorneys ended his five-day cross-examination of the double amputee track athlete on Tuesday with a stark summary of how he shot his girlfriend, insisting he killed her deliberately after an argument.

Mr Pistorius faces life in prison if convicted of murdering the 29-year-old law graduate and model.
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