Oscar Pistorius convicted of murdering his girlfriend

[Adam]

Just read this article on BBC Sport about SA sportspeople getting caught up in crime and how bad it is over there. Led me to read into the Rudi Visagie and it makes me think "what if it's so easy to get in the mental state where Pistorius' story actually becomes credible?".

[MDK]

That's what I was thinking. I can't tell if the media are hyping up the crime in SA or if its actually as bad as its portrayed.

I'm not going there to find out.

[lanky316]

Of course, the crime levels are why his house is a secure compound with security guards who for some reason weren't around that night. There are also a lot of differences between the stories as a starting point. One of them is "shit the cars going, grab gun fire from balcony" and the other involves running several laps of a flat shouting to several people and not getting any responses and firing at someone whom even if it was a perceived burglary threat was cornered and wouldn't do anything but sit tight until the police turn up.

Perception of crime is very high in SA (remember all of the "DO NOT GO TO THE WORLD CUP IT'S NOT SAFE DAMNIT!" media coverage?) and I can understand an element of caution and worst case scenario theorising but it doesn't solve the other holes in the story.

[METALMAN]

That's what I was thinking. I can't tell if the media are hyping up the crime in SA or if its actually as bad as its portrayed.

I'm not going there to find out.

It obviously gets a lot of media attention. But the statistics are there, and they're really bad.

It's surely no coincidence that SA has one of the greatest income disparities in the world.

[Lineker]

Trial postponed until August 19th.

[METALMAN]

Ok

[Lineker]

The trial of Oscar Pistorius for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp is to open today in Pretoria. A judge has decreed that parts of the trial can be televised.

[METALMAN]

How tawdry. Even worse is Paddy Power taking bets on the verdict. Vile company, as are most bookmakers.

[Baddar]

What's the odds on him getting away with it?

[Colly]

Can I put it in my footie acca at the weekend?

[brenchill]

Oscar Pistorius' lawyer sounds like Bane.

[Baddar]

For what it's worth, I think he's guilty, but he'll be found not guilty of murder - he'll get what, in comparison is a slap on the wrist, for owning the weapon/ammo and firing the shots.

[Matt]

Nah, he hasn't got a leg to stand on.

[Lineker]

[Matt]

You're only jealous that I beat you to it :/

[brenchill]

Hey guys, do you know what Oscar Pistorius' favourite band is?

Bullet For My Valentine

[EddieG]

Eh, I agree with Baddar, I think he'll walk.

[TCO]

How tawdry. Even worse is Paddy Power taking bets on the verdict. Vile company, as are most bookmakers.

Paddy Power are an awesome company :/

[The Lusophone]

Any company that tries to profit off of tragedy is disgusting.

With regards to the trial and Pistorius, I can see him being found not guilty of murder, but guilty of... I dunno... manslaughter if South Africa has such an offence, or at least have his defence (I thougt she was a robber/burgler/trespasser/kidnapper) as a strong mitigating factor because, y'know, South Africa.

[Baddar]

Didn't it come out yesterday that the supposed screams that the witnesses heard wouldn't have been possible after the shots due to Reeva's brain damage?

It's the doubt over stuff like this that makes me think he'll walk.