Ballistics Expert Challenges Case Against Pistorius

On Friday, a renowned ballistics expert testified that Reeva Steenkamp did not appear to have been in a defensive position when Oscar Pistorius fatally shot her on Valentine's Day of 2013.

Tom Wolmarans, a former police officer, suggested to the court that Steenkamp did not have her hand over her head when Pistorius fired four bullets at her.

CNN reports Wolmarans affirmed Steenkamp's "left hand cannot have been against her head" because there were no wounds and no brain tissue on the inside of her hand.

His analysis disputes a key element of the prosecution's case. A police ballistics expert, testifying for the prosecution earlier in the trial, cowered with his hands over his head to imitate the position he thought Steenkamp was in when she was killed.

Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel fiercely cross-examined Wolmarans on Friday, leaving the former police captain flustered and angry at times.

Nel demanded to know whether Wolmarans had altered any of testimony after consulting the Pistorius defense team.

Wolmarans insisted he never changed his conclusions especially after consulting another defense expert, Robert Dixon, who is technically not a ballistics expert. Nel then suggested the court disregard testimony from both Dixon and Wolmarans.

Defense attorney Barry Roux said he will call between 14 to 17 witnesses before he concludes his case next Tuesday.

The trial isexpected to last into mid-May before Judge Thokozile Masipa makes a decision.If convicted, Pistorius faces 25 years in jail.

Written byNicole Bennett

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