Oscar Pistorius Crime Scene Images Reveal Bloody ‘Blade Runner’

The trial of Oscar Pistorius has taken yet another gruesome turn, as graphic photos of Pistorius were introduced in court on Friday in South Africa.

Pistorius, who has been charged with the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steencamp on Valentine’s Day 2013, was seen in various police photos taken shortly after the shooting. These photos were rather graphic in nature, as they depicted Pistorius drenched in blood from the waist down, covering his shorts and socks, as well as his prosthetic legs. Another photo captured various tattoos on the body of Pistorius.

Additional photos were displayed from the bathroom where the shooting took place, and were also particularly graphic. There was a close-up shot of the toilet where Steencamp was shot, with copious amounts of blood on the rim and in the water itself.

G.S. van Rensburg, a former police colonel, corroborated the photographs of Pistorius and the crime scene on Friday, providing detailed testimony regarding the immediate aftermath of the shooting as police first arrived at the scene. Van Rensburg testified that police were on the scene within 30 to 40 minutes after the prosecution claims the murder took place. Van Rensburg described the scene and his communications with Pistorius:

“I told him I observed him as a suspect at that stage. I warned him of his rights. I said to him I wasn’t arresting him at that stage… I requested him to remain present at all times at the scene.”

Of course, Pistorius insists the shooting was an accident, claiming he thought there was an intruder in the house. As a result, Pistorius has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges filed against him. Prosecutors are maintaining the killing was the result of an argument between Pistorius and Steencamp, and that the shooting was an intentional act.

The prosecution in the Pistorius trial has been plagued by inconsistencies and confusion on the part of the police, including the disappearance of Pistorius’ watch from his room during the investigation. Van Rensburg provided the defense with further ammunition with the revelation that the gun used by Pistorius to kill Steencamp was mishandled by the firearms expert on the scene, who had apparently touched the weapon without gloves:

“I was talking on my cellphone when I heard the firearm had been cocked. I stopped talking and said, ‘What are you doing?’ He said sorry and put the magazine back in the firearm. I was very angry.”

Pistorius has previously displayed extreme physical reaction to evidence presented in court, including a vomiting episode during testimony by a forensics expert and the presentation of a photo of the deceased Steencamp. However, Pistorius was able to keep it together as these latest photos of the crime scene were revealed in court.

The Oscar Pistorius trial will resume on Monday. If convicted, Pistorius is looking at 25 years to life in prison.