Lawyers for Oscar Pistorius have dismissed police claims to have found testosterone in the athlete’s bedroom after the fatal shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Investigating officer Hilton Botha told the second day of a bail hearing at Pretoria Magistrates’ court that two containers of the drug testosterone and needles were discovered in the athlete’s bedroom.
However in subsequent cross-examination Barry Roux, defence lawyer for Mr Pistorius, dismissed this claim, saying that the packages discovered by police were a herbal remedy that could be bought in any pharmacy: “It’s not a steroid, and it’s not a banned substance” he said.
The court had earlier been told that “non-stop shouting” was heard coming from the home of the athlete Oscar Pistorius before his girlfriend was shot dead, his bail hearing hears. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said the prosecution team has a witness who heard the shouting between 2am and 3am.
However under cross-examination by the defence team detective Botha said that the witness’ house was 600 metres away – provoking gasps in the packed court. Later in the hearing prosecutor Gerrie Nel returns to the subject, putting it to Mr Botha that the witness’ house was 300 metres away, not 600, and Mr Botha agrees.
In an affidavit, the 26-year old Paralympic star denied murdering the model Reeva Steenkamp at his home in the early hours of Thursday 14 January.
He has said the couple were in love and he fired through his closed bathroom door, hitting the victim, thinking a burglar or burglars were inside.
Steenkamp was hit three times and today the court heard the bullets hit her arm, hip and head.
Mr Pistorius has said he shot her with a 9mm pistol.
The court was told that investigating officer Botha had arrived at the house at 4.15am and found the victim, who was already dead, wearing white shorts, a black top and covered in towels.
Unlicensed ammunition for a .38 handgun was found at the property in the exclusive Silver Lakes Golf Estate and Mr Botha said he wanted the Olympian charged additionally with possession of illegal ammunition. He added that he believed Mr Pistorius was a flight risk and therefore was opposing the athlete’s request for bail on a charge of murdering his girlfriend at his home.
Worldwide media interest delayed the start of Wednesday’s hearing as, amid chaotic scenes, over 100 journalists squeezed into court.