Paralympian Oscar Pistorius' racking sobs during his testimony today has forced the High Court of Pretoria in South Africa to adjourn earlier than expected, ABC News said in a report. Pistorius has recounted the harrowing chain of events that led him to shoot his late girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp fatally on the eve of Valentine's Day last year.
There were no dry eyes seen in the courtroom when Pistorius took the stand today to continue with his testimony. He recounted in court how he discovered that he had killed Steenkamp, who was inside a locked bathroom where Pistorius claimed that a burglar might have been hiding.
Pistorius said in court that he retreated to the bedroom after firing a series of shots through the locked bathroom. The athlete said he tried to call Steenkamp from the bedroom, which was dark at that time, but had his gun pointed towards the bathroom.
Addressing to presiding judge Thokozile Masipa, the athlete said, "I was talking to Reeva... Nobody responded to me. I lifted myself up and put my hand on the bed. I thought Reeva was there and I didn't feel anything. I think it was at that point, My Lady. it first dawned upon me that it could be Reeva in the bathroom on the toilet."
His next statements had enveloped several members of the audience in the court, ABC News said, as Pistorius told the court how he was struggling with the idea that Steenkamp might have been in the locked bathroom after all. The Paralympian claimed that he used a cricket bat to break the door open after failing for the first time using his prosthetic legs.
"I got the door unlocked and flung the door open and I sat over Reeva and I cried," Pistorius wailed. "I don't know how long. I don't know how long I was there. She wasn't breathing," Pistorius said before breaking into loud sobs.
It was clear that the defendant will not be able to continue with his testimony, as Masipa called for an initial break, then an adjournment. ABC News said the audience saw Pistorius crumbling against the witness stand while crying loudly.
Pistorius, who is on trial for a murder charge, could face 25 years in jail should he get convicted of fatally shooting Steenkamp, the news outlet said.
