Oscar Pistorius pleads ‘not guilty’

The Oscar Pistorius murder trial began on Monday with first witness testified before the court.

Michell Burger, the neighbor of Oscar Pistorius said that she heard “blood-curdling” screams of a woman on February 14 last year followed by four gunshots from double-amputee Olympian’s house.

Reeva Steenkamp model and TV star was found dead at Oscar Pistorius’s home in Pretoria after being shot in the head and arm. The South African Paralympics star had said that he shot his girlfriend by mistaking her for a burglar or intruder.

“She screamed terribly and she yelled for help” Burger said. “It was very traumatic. You could hear it was blood-curdling screams. You can’t translate it into words. The anxiousness in her voice, and fear. It leaves you cold,” she added.

The 27-year-old Oscar Pistorius who has pleaded ‘not guilty’, said that he thought Steenkamp was in bed and did not hear any scream.

While cross-examine, Pistorius’ lawyer, Barry Roux asked Burger whether she thought Pistorius was a liar, Burger said, “I can only tell the court what I heard that evening. I cannot understand how I could clearly hear a woman scream but Mr. Pistorius could not hear it.”

This murder trial is being broadcast live on TV in South Africa and across the world.

Meanwhile in an interview with British newspaper, Reeva’s mother, June Steenkamp said, “I want to look at Oscar, really look him in the eyes, and see for myself the truth about what he did to Reeva. Whatever the court decides at the end of his trial, I will be ready to forgive him … But first I want to force him to look at me, Reeva’s mother, and see the pain and anguish he has inflicted on me. I feel I need that.”

Pistorius could face a minimum 25 years prison term if he proved guilty.

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