Pistorius trial stops over sick judge assessor

The murder trial of Paralympian gold medalist Oscar Pistorius has been postponed until April 7, according to presiding judge Thokozile Masipa. Masipa told the High Court in Pretoria, South Africa today that one of his assistants fell ill, Bloomberg said.

Masipa's decision was significant, considering that South Africa does not have a jury system and relies on a presiding judge's decision on the case based on his review of the evidence and testimonies presented in a trial. The Pistorius murder trial, which is currently being broadcasted live on television and radio with the permission of the court, followed the legal drama behind the "Blade Runner"'s fatal shooting of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.

Bloomberg said that Pistorius' defense was supposed to begin today, and the court might see the athlete on the stand to recall his version of the events the night Steenkamp died. The double-amputee had entered a not guilty plea to murdering Steenkamp by fatally shooting her through a locked bathroom door at his home. The news agency said Pistorius is also currently out on a million rand ($94,000) bail beginning February last year.

The prosecution has already rested its case on March 25. Prosecutors have argued and presented various witnesses and evidence that Pistorius and Steenkamp purportedly had a nasty fight, and coupled with Pistorius' violent outbursts, might have shot his girlfriend during a rage.

Criminal defense lawyer Marius du Toit in Pretoria, who also served as a magistrate in the North West and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa, told Bloomberg in an email that even if Masipa choose Pistorius' version of the incident, the athlete will still be going to jail on a culpable homicide charge, which is a lesser sentence at a maximum of five years in prison. Should Pistorius be found guilty of premeditated murder, he will be imprisoned for life, Du Toit added.

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Oscar Pistorius Trial, Oscar Pistorius verdict

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