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jsq0713
(@jsq0713)
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Two weeks ago and 21 witnesses later, the prosecution rested its case against Oscar Pistorius. Custom Barcelona Jerseys . Now with the trial resuming, Pistorius lawyers get their chance to call witnesses and present their side of the story. Led by seasoned criminal defence lawyer Barry Roux, the Pistorius defence team will go on the offensive as its tries to convince the Court that Pistorius acted reasonably when he fired four fatal shots through a bathroom door killing Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius has stated he believed Steenkamp was an intruder when he killed her. The prosecution is arguing that it was no accident: Pistorius intended to kill Steenkamp. So the defence team will look to discredit the prosecutions evidence. Here are some of the things that will be the focus of the Pistorius defence. The Couple: Were They Arguing That Night? Pistorius alleges that the room was pitch dark that night. As a result, he had no way of knowing that while he was retrieving two fans from the balcony, Steenkamp had left the bed to go to the bathroom. This is a key component of Pistorius defence and for that reason the prosecution vigorously sought to discredit it at the outset of the trial. They called a number of witnesses, including Michelle Burger, Charl Johnson, Dr. Johan Stipp and Estelle van der Merwe, who testified that the lights were on and they heard arguing and screaming. Stipp recounted that he heard female screams that sounded like a woman "scared out of her mind." Burger described female screams as "petrifying" and added this: "I was sitting in bed and I heard her screams," Burger testified. "She screamed terribly and she yelled for help. I heard the screams again. It was worse. It was more intense. Just after her screams, I heard four shots. Four gun-shots... You could hear it was blood curdling screams. You cant translate it into words. The anxiousness in her voice, and fear. It leaves you cold. She screamed terribly and she yelled for help". The defence team will call other neighbours who will say that they did not hear screams that night or the couple arguing. The Couple: Did The Go To Bed At 10pm? According to Pistorius, the couple was in bed by 10pm. However, pathologist Professor Gert Saayman testified that food found in Steenkamps stomach suggests she ate within two hours of her death shortly after 3am. The defence has already sought to discredit this testimony when they called pathologist Professor Jan Botha as the first witness. He testified that it was difficult to determine with any certainty when Steenkamp ate that night. Of course, the arguing and screaming would also undermine Pistorius version of an early bedtime. The Shooting According to Ballistics Expert Captain Christian Mangena, Steenkamp was facing the door when she was shot (rather than with her side facing the door). The first shot hit her in the right hip. The shot broke her hip and threw her back onto a magazine holder. She then assumed a defensive position by crossing her arms over her head. The second shot missed but broke into fragments and bruised her back. The third shot hit her in the right arm, which in the opinion of the expert, supports the conclusion she was shielding herself from fire. The fourth shot hit her in the head killing her almost instantly. The prosecution would argue that this evidence establishes that Steenkamp was in the bathroom hiding from Pistorius when she was shot. If she had simply gone to the bathroom, it would have been more likely that she would not have been facing the door as she was. Mangena also testified that there was likely a pause between the first and second shot. This is important because it would explain the petrified screams of Steenkamp heard by neighbours. When it was put to Mangena by Roux that the four shots could have been fired in rapid succession with no time for screams, he responded that it was unlikely given the location of Steenkamps wounds. Mangena reasoned that if the four shots were fired in rapid succession, her first two wounds would have been in similar locations. They were not: one was in the hip and the other in the arm. The defence team will call its own ballistic experts to tell a different story. The goal will be to undermine the prosecutions position that Steenkamp was hiding in the bathroom from an enraged Pistorius. Did Pistorius Sleep On The Left Side Of The Bed? Pistorius told police he slept on the left side of the bed that night because of a bad shoulder. According to ex-girlfriend Samantha Taylor, Pistorius typically slept on the right side of the bed. As well, Steenkamps overnight bag and shoes were neatly placed on the left side of the bed raising questions as to who slept where. Why is this important? Pistorius gun holster was on the left side of the bed. If Steenkamp had been sleeping on the left side of the bed, then it would have been more likely he would have noticed she was not in the bed when he retrieved his gun. Pistorius Was A Volatile, Jealous Man With An Affinity For Guns The prosecution has painted a picture of Pistorius as a volatile and jealous man who loved guns and was trigger happy. As well, in response to Pistorius accusing Steenkamp of flirting with another man, she sent him the following text two weeks before she was killed: "Im scared of you sometimes and how you snap at me and how you will react to me". As well, Taylor testified that after being pulled over for speeding, Pistorius recklessly fired his gun through the sunroof. In addition, both Kevin Lerena and Adam Fresco testified that Pistorius fired a gun in a crowded restaurant hitting Lerena in the foot. Pistorius then asked Darren Fresco to take the blame. The defence team will argue that Pistorius is not gun-crazed. Rather, as a double amputee in a violent South African culture with a high crime rate, he feels more vulnerable and his reaction to the sounds in the bathroom that night were completely reasonably. The defence will also look to focus on a botched police investigation complete with contaminated evidence. Overall, there are a number of improbabilities with Pistorius story and the defence team has no choice but to work hard to discredit the prosecutions case. However, the hurdles Pistorius is facing are significant. Perhaps each piece of evidence against Pistorius when viewed discreetly and in isolation is insufficient to result in a conviction. However, when viewed in their totality they do conspire to tell a story of a domestic dispute turned tragic. As a result, it would not be a surprise to see Pistorius convicted of murder and sentenced to 15 years in jail. Thomas Vermaelen Jersey . - The fiancee of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez is set to ask a judge to throw out allegations that she lied to a grand jury. Jasper Cillessen Jersey .The Dallas Cowboys released Sam from the practice squad Tuesday, dropping the rush end as they prepare for several potential reinforcements to return to the defensive line.The Formations Missing five players who would ordinarily be in the starting lineup, Toronto FCs squad depth was tested against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. No Jermain Defoe and no Michael Bradley meant that two of the leagues premier players were unavailable for Toronto, providing Dwayne De Rosario and Kyle Bekker with opportunities to fill in. Tactically, head coach Ryan Nelsen again chose to employ his favoured 4-4-2 formation. The Colorado Rapids lined up with two changes to their 4-4-2 diamond midfield lineup that was successful against the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend; Kamani Hill was replaced by former TFC midfielder, Nick LaBrocca, and Edson Buddle replaced Deshorn Brown up top. The Game This game was a big test for Toronto FC, given the quality and quantity of players that were unavailable. But despite losing the game 1-0 to an Edson Buddle goal, TFC acquitted themselves quite well. Defensively, the back four looked as solid as it ever has. Bradley Orr slotted into Doneil Henrys position and looked comfortable and composed alongside Steven Caldwell, who was excellent. Mark Bloom had another very solid game at right fullback, reaffirming Ryan Nelsens belief that he can be the solution for that position. With the signings of Defoe and Bradley getting all of the headlines this offseason, the acquisition of Justin Morrow flew under the radar. However, one could argue that his performances have been a big factor in TFCs solid start to the season. No longer do opponents view Torontos left flank as a free runway for opposing wingers and fullbacks to cross the ball at will. Morrow is shutting things down nicely, and while he doesnt have the same desire to get forward as his predecessor, Ashtone Morgan, Morrow does what all good defenders should do first - defend. In midfield, there were concerns that the absence of Bradley - who has been behind everything good that TFC has done to start the season - would have a dramatic impact on Torontos ability to compete against a slick Colorado side. Those concerns were alleviated by the performance of Canadian international, Kyle Bekker. Drafted third overall last season, Bekkers rookie year was not what he would have hoped. He struggled to find playing time, and in Ryan Nelsens opinion, had a tough time making the transition from college soccer star to reliable professional. Bekkers performances over the last two games (he started alongside Bradley in TFCs 2-0 win over Columbus the previous week) will go some way towards convincing Nelsen that Bekkers professional career is ready to take off. The midfielders passing was crisp and precise, and his positional awareness and defensive work - while not his strongest assets - were much improved over last season. One of Bekkers strengths is his set piece delivery, and on two occasions he rattled the woodwork with direct free kicks. Bekkers first effort in the 76th minute struck the base of the right post, and was just inches away from opening the scoring. The game turned little more than a minute later, as Colorado scored the only goal of the game. Toronto was solid defensively throughout the game, but got caught by a well-delivered ball to the back post for Dillon Serna. The youngster mis-hit a strike across goal, and the ensuing scramble saw the ball land at the feet of 2013 MLS Rookie of the Year, Dillon Powers, just inside the penalty area. At this stage, Toronto was well positioned to deal with Powers. There was lateral pressure coming from both Bekker and Issey Nakajima-Farran, with Mark Bloom directly in front. But Powers bumbled the ball past the challenge of Bloom, clearing room for a shot on goal. Sergi Roberto Jersey. As a defender, one must prioritize threats on goal. The nearest defender must close down anyone with time and space to shoot inside the penalty area. The other defenders must then adjust to cover the next immediate threats. Steven Caldwell read the situation well, and as his momentum was in the direction of Powers, Caldwell left Edson Buddle to block the shot from Powers. It was a calculated risk from Caldwell, but it was the correct decision. Edson Buddle did what all good strikers do - he created space for himself in the penalty area by simply holding his run outside the six-yard box. The covering defender, Bradley Orr, is in the correct defensive position, as he also had to be able to intercept a ball across the six-yard box to Deshorn Brown, who was lurking at the far post. Buddle knew that if Powers could cut the ball back, he would have a shot on goal. When Powers cut back was successful, Orr immediately attempted to block Buddles shot - as did TFC goalkeeper, Julio Cesar - but Buddles effort slid under the keeper and into the back of the net. Apart from Bloom getting beaten by Powers just inside the penalty area, TFC defended this situation exactly as they should have. Unfortunately on this occasion, Colorados quality inside the penalty area was simply too good. I have been impressed with Colorado over the last two games, including a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps last week. José Mari looks like a fantastic addition to their midfield, and they move the ball around very well. They can over-narrow their midfield diamond at times, and exploiting the resulting space in wide areas will certainly be a key feature to focus on for any future opponents. The Positives Kyle Bekker put in a very solid performance, which will do his confidence a world of good. If he can continue to improve his positional awareness and general defensive responsibility, he will be a very valuable asset in Nelsens rejuvenated squad. The back four looked comfortable for most of the game - no mean feat, as Buddle and Gabriel Torres (as well as substitute, Deshorn Brown) offer a stern test. There were concerns going into the season about TFCs depth at centre back, but Bradley Orr proved that, while not his preferred position, he is more than capable of providing a solid alternative if the situation arises. The Negatives Perhaps it can be put down to unfamiliarity, but the partnership of Dwayne De Rosario and Gilberto didnt click. De Rosario is usually very tidy in possession, but far too often conceded the ball or gave it away through miscommunication with teammates. With options up front currently few and far between, this is a partnership that Nelsen will need to work if TFC is to be competitive in the absence of Jermain Defoe. The playing surface was infinitely better than it was back in March, when TFC defeated DC United in their home opener. (Credit to the BMO Field ground staff for working miracles during Torontos harsh weather.) But it still didnt lend itself to a slick, free-flowing passing game - something that both teams will prefer when the surface undoubtedly improves. The Star Man Few would argue that Bekker is deserving of a mention (which he is), but for me, Steven Caldwell put in an outstanding effort at the back. His distribution was precise, his positional awareness was superb, and time and time again he snuffed out dangerous situations before they could develop into goal scoring situations for Colorado.


   
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