At the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius, the defendant vomited multiple times and retched loudly during graphic testimony on Monday, according to the Associated Press.
His girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, was shot multiple times with bullets designed to expand upon impact and cause as much damage as possible. This was testimony provided by Professor Gert Saayman. Saayman identified the bullets pulled from the skull of Steenkamp.
Judge Thokozile Masipa told journalists that the testimony of Saayman could not be broadcast or reported live on Twitter due to its explicit content.
“Twitter is not allowed. Blogging is not allowed,” Masipa said.
The judge did allow journalists to report the testimony so long as they did not use direct quotes from the witness.
When Pistorius heard the description of Steenkamp’s wounds, he doubled over the bench and began to vomit. This caused the judge to delay the testimony while chief defense attorney Barry Roux attended to Pistorius. The judge wanted to know if Pistorius could understand the testimony and Roux said that his client’s reaction was going to remain the same. This is when a bucket was brought to Pistorius.
Saayman referred to photos for the majority of his testimony while describing the bullet wounds on the body of Steenkamp. The photos were not shown to those sitting in the gallery. The injuries he spoke of were on the right side of the head, the right arm and the right hip. Saayman also spoke of the exit wounds from the bullets, abrasions and skin discoloration associated with firing a bullet through wood.
As made known by the trial, Pistorius reportedly fired shots through the bathroom door, where Steenkamp was hiding. He thought she was an intruder. Saayman noted that all three of the gunshot wounds suffered by Steenkam could have been fatal on their own.
Pistorius has been charged with premeditated murder for the shooting death of Steenkamp on February 14, 2013. Pistorius claims the killing was accidental.