Pistorius trial shown images of home and bloodstains

PROSECUTORS IN the Oscar Pistorius murder trial yesterday showed photographs of bloodstains found around his home after he fatally shot his girlfriend.

Former police colonel GS van Rensburg, one of the first officers on the scene after Pistorius killed Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year by shooting her through a locked door, described the pictures.

Mr van Rensburg told how, on arriving at the house, he saw Ms Steenkamp’s body covered in towels and plastic bags that had been used to try and stop the bleeding.

A tearful Pistorius was pacing in the kitchen, Mr van Rensburg said. The policeman said he asked the athlete what had happened, but he did not answer.

Police investigator Hilton Botha then arrived at the home, where bloodstains were visible in many areas, said Mr van Rensburg.

“We then followed the trail of blood up the stairs,” Mr van Rensburg said.

Pistorius, 27, says he mistook the model for an intruder. The prosecution contests he intentionally killed her after an argument.

Earlier, a photograph of Pistorius’s blood-stained prosthetic legs was used by his defence to argue that he was wearing them when he broke down the toilet door to get to his girlfriend.

Pistorius faces a possible life sentence if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and three firearm-related offences.