Judge Masipa clarifies Oscar media order
Judge Thokozile Masipa clarified her ruling on evidence by the pathologist testifying in Oscar Pistorius's murder trial in the High Court in Pretoria on Monday.
FILE PICTURE: Oscar Pistorius consults with his legal representatives, Wednesday, 5 March 2014. The double amputee and Paralympian is appearing in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa in connection with the murder of model Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, 2013. Picture: Alon Skuy/Pool
“The press can go on and do their work but it is not allowed to be live,” she said.
There had been confusion over whether pathologist Gert Saayman’s direct quotes were allowed to be used by print media and a request was made during the lunch adjournment to Lulama Luti, spokeswoman for the office of the Chief Justice, to clear this up.
“Can they paraphrase? The question is what are they allowed to do, the print media, the other media?” asked Gerrie Nel on the State’s behalf.
“I hope it’s clear…it’s not supposed to be live, you can paraphrase, summarise, that is it,” said Masipa.
That applied to radio, television and print.
No tweeting or blogging was allowed either of his evidence.
Pistorius, who was Steenkamp’s boyfriend, is on trial for her murder.
He shot her through a locked bathroom door at his Pretoria home on Valentine’s Day last year.
He claimed to have mistaken her for an intruder.
The State, however, argues that it was premeditated murder.
– Sapa
