Pistorius

[The Don]

This whole trial is captivating. For all the horror involved, seeing both sides of the argument has me thinking that I'm glad not to live in a place where something like that would be considered normal.

If he actually is innocent and it happened how he said, how completely tragic.

[number 9]

I'm sick of hearing his weeping testimony. I honestly don't see how he could have mistaken his girlfriend for an intruder. He deserves to be punished like any murderer would.

[The Don]

My thoughts echoed yours, until I'd spoken to a couple of South African guys I work with. Apparently, over there you would shoot first and ask questions later.

Now whilst I find it difficult to comprehend not knowing whether your girlfriend was next you or not (ignoring the fact that I'd never get up for a p*ss if that was the norm) I can't help but feel how tragic it is if it actually were just a case of mistaken identity.

[helen83]

I'm finding it hard to believe that he's innocent.
He seems very sorry now, but I do think that at the time he knew exactly who he was shooting at.

[Charnwood]

I'm finding it hard to believe that he's innocent.
He seems very sorry now, but I do think that at the time he knew exactly who he was shooting at.

I think everyone else does too, apart from Oscar Pistorius. His version of events are completely unbelievable and if it wasn't for his actions she would almost certainly still be alive today.

I'll be absolutely amazed if he's found not guilty.

[Frosty]

I think he's putting on an Academy Award winning performance each day

[Ricco]

Apparently, over there you would shoot first and ask questions later.

This is rather important, I also think he could be the kind of guy who wants drama and excitement in his life, he seems to love guns, has accidentally fired them twice in public, is paranoid enough to keep a cricket bat on hand in the bedroom. All this means it's conceivable that it was an accident and he was almost excited by the opportunity of shooting an intruder. I do think it's very unlikely that you wouldn't check it wasn't your girlfriend first and she didn't hear him shouting before he shot though.

I think it's impossible to ever really know the truth, I'm sure that's the case with most crimes. One thing that struck me was that if he was just another guy and not famous, wouldn't the trial be much quicker and with a much quieter court room, I don't understand why these 'high profile' cases get such treatment, or are all murder trials essentially the same??

One other thing, I thought the lawyer forcing him to look at pictures of her injuries and body, and basically rubbing them in his face was absolutely disgusting and inappropriate. If it was an accident, this blokes life's ruined, imagine being in his shoes and getting that treatment if it was accidental, that's beyond traumatising. If he's guilty then he'll get the punishment after he is convicted, it is innocent until proven guilty and until then he shouldn't be punished, and those pictures being forced on him in such a ruthless, merciless way, while the whole world watches him fall apart is surely far worse than any possible (legal) punishment. I feel the same about the trial being televised, I turned it off very quickly before I got interested, it in my opinion shouldn't be for public viewing, it's not entertainment, it's a private and tragic event and shouldn't in a million years be made in to a spectacle, the press attention is bad enough.

I just looked at sky news on my phone, the headlines were as follows:

Pistorius Trial
Ukraine Bloodshed
Missing Plane
Dead Babies Found
Man Killed in London Marathon
Missing Marathon Runner
Boy's Head Found

And it goes on, what the hell is wrong with people?! Why is everyone so fascinated with tragedy and drama, no wonder everyone is so grumpy and paranoid the whole time