Pistorius trial: forensic expert fears for reputation
The forensic expert called to give evidence by Oscar Pistorius’s lawyers says in a Facebook post that he fears for his professional reputation after three days grilling by the prosecution.
Forensics expert Roger Dixon has been testifying on ballistics, the sound of gunshots and the lighting of Oscar Pistorius‘s bedroom — all crucial parts of evidence in the murder trial.
But before his third day of questioning by Chief Prosecutor Gerrie Nel, Mr Nixon appeared well aware of how he had come across.
The forensic geologist and former police officer posted on Facebook: “Third day in court today. Let’s see how much of my credibility, integrity and professional reputation is destroyed.
“It is difficult to get belief in those who will not listen because it is not what they want to hear.”
He added: “After that, beer!”
#OscarTrial Dixon doesn’t have TV, radio or papers but is active on Facebook and confirms this is his posting pic.twitter.com/Ld9ZerjclY
— Debora Patta (@Debora_Patta) April 17, 2014
#OscarTrial So Dixon did a test on the light in circumstances that were not remotely similar to weather conditions on 13 and 14 Feb 2013
— Debora Patta (@Debora_Patta) April 17, 2014
#OscarTrial Dixon says he understands that in a situation like this it’s adversarial but he has had a lot of hate mail
— Debora Patta (@Debora_Patta) April 17, 2014
Mr Dixon’s credibility as an expert witness was questioned on Wednesday, with Mr Nel pointing out his specialism is geology and material analysis, and yet he was testifying about the shots fired and marks on Steenkamp’s body. Mr Nel highlighted Mr Dixon’s use of the term “layman” about himself and added: “You see how irresponsible it is to make inferences that aren’t in your area of expertise.”
Pistorius is on trial for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, who he shot dead with four rounds from a 9mm pistol on Valentine’s Day last year in his luxury Pretoria home. The Olympic and Paralympic sprinter denies murder, and insists he thought an intruder was hiding in the toilet when he fired the gun.
On Thursday, Mr Dixon said that the wounds on Steenkamp’s body show that she was standing at an angle to the door with her arm out in front of her – suggesting she was reaching for the handle – when Pistorius shot her dead.
But Mr Nel heaped scorn on Dixon’s expertise and Judge Thokozile Masipa stepped in, asking him to restrain himself.
Sequence of shots
The prosecution says Steenkamp was hit in the hip by the first of four shots, and then hit in the arm and head by the third and fourth shots after she collapsed. The second shot missed, according to the prosecution.
Mr Dixon has agreed that Steenkamp was hit in the hip by the first shot, but suggested the second shot hit her in the arm as she was reaching to open the toilet door.
The sequence of gunshots and positioning of Steenkamp when she was hit is critical to the cases of the prosecution and the defence. And Mr Dixon’s theory could cast doubt on the prosecution’s argument that Steenkamp was in the midst of a fight with Pistorius and trying to hide from him.
Earlier in the day, Judge Masipa granted the state’s request for a postponement of the trial and it will begin again 5 May – two days before South Africa goes to the polls for a national election – when Chief Defence Lawyer Barry Roux is expected to call his next witness.