The prosecution is challenging Oscar Pistorius' testimony about what happened on the night his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp was killed. NBC's Michelle Kosinski reports. By Rohit Kachroo and Alastair Jamieson, NBC NewsThe family of Oscar Pistorius gathered in a South African court Thursday to hear whether the Olympic and Paralympic star will get bail over charges that he murdered his model girlfriend.
"We're going to win today," said one relative as the family joined lawyers and reporters for the third day of a bail hearing at which details have emerged about the night Reeva Steenkamp was fatally shot by Pistorius at his home.
In a dramatic twist, it emerged the lead detective in the case is facing attempted murder charges (http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/21/17037928-pistorius-detective-facing-attempted-murder-charges?lite) for opening fire at a minibus containing seven people.
Hilton Botha, who took the stand against Pistorius on Wednesday, is due to appear in court in May, raising the possibility he could be dropped from the case.
There were scenes of confusion at the hearing as magistrate Desmond Nair asked for Botha to be brought before the court. Botha was believed to be at the court building in Pretoria but not inside the crowded courtroom itself.
There was further drama when an unidentified woman addressed the court, saying she wanted Pistorius' mental health to be examined. Her intervention was dismissed.
As Pistorius was led back into the dock, his brother Carl whispered to him: "Stay strong."
The defense team was given a boost Wednesday, exposing apparent cracks in the prosecution case (http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/20/17026594-oscar-pistorius-in-court-defense-exposes-cracks-in-police-evidence) against the double-amputee.
Dubbed the "Blade Runner," Pistorius maintains he fired into his locked bathroom in a panic over a possible prowler. However, prosecutors say the 26-year-old put on his artificial legs and stalked 29-year-old Steenkamp to the bathroom to kill her.
Botha, an experienced detective, testified on Wednesday that a witness heard shouting for an hour coming from the house shortly before the shooting.TODAY's Professionals – Star Jones, Donny Deutsch, and Dr. Nancy Snyderman – discuss the topics making headlines today, including whether Oscar Pistorius' claims that his girlfriend's shooting was accidental make sense given the evidence.Another witness heard gunshots, saw lights on in the house, heard a woman screaming two or three times, then heard another few shots, Botha said.
But under cross-examination, Botha admitted one of the witnesses was 1,000 feet away from the house at the time.
Botha told the court that needles and testosterone were found in the athlete's bedroom.
Defense lawyer Barry Roux disputed that claim, saying the substance was in fact a herbal remedy and that police had misread the label. State prosecutor Gerrie Nel also had to correct Botha when he initially called the substance "steroids."
On the first day of the hearing, prosecutors and the defense presented clashing accounts of how and why Pistorius shot Steenkamp.
A court statement from Pistorius denied "in the strongest terms" that he had deliberately killed Steenkamp, adding that the athlete was "deeply in love'' with her, according to Reuters.
"I had no intention to kill my girlfriend," the statement said.
Meanwhile, ANike on Thursday said it had suspended its sponsorship of Pistorius.
“We believe Oscar Pistorius should be afforded due process and we will continue to monitor the situation closely,'” the company said in a statement.
Related:
Pistorius' uncle: Olympian is in shock, 'will bounce back' (http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/20/17034178-pistorius-uncle-olympian-is-in-extreme-shock-but-will-bounce-back)
Pistorius: I felt 'sense of terror' on night I mistakenly shot girlfriend (http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/19/17006698-pistorius-i-felt-sense-of-terror-on-night-i-mistakenly-shot-deeply-loved-girlfriend?lite)
Sportscaster: Pistorius was 'jumpy' about safety (http://todaynews.today.com/_news/2013/02/19/17016720-carillo-pistorius-was-jumpy-and-had-worries-about-safety?lite)
This story was originally published on Thu Feb 21, 2013 4:12 AM EST
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