Oscar Pistorius Breaks Down Again, Court Adjourns

Whether Oscar Pistorius intentionally shot Reeva Steenkamp in a fit of rage, or unloaded the deadly shots through the bathroom door while honestly believing she was an intruder, one thing is for sure: The South African Olympian appears to be a truly tortured soul.

Unless Pistorius is an amazing actor.

In a trial that has had more than its share of emotion, today’s testimony from Pistorius reached a new level of apparent pain, heartbreak and regret, not just from Oscar, but those in the gallery as well.

For the second day in a row, Pistorius’ testimony was underlined by a quaking, quivering voice that threatened to burst into tears at any moment. Giving his version of what happened the night he shot and killed Steenkamp, Oscar described being awakened by what he believed to be his bathroom window opening. The noise prompted him to grab his gun and go toward the bathroom.

“That’s the moment when everything changed,” Pistorius told the court.

Within the bathroom was the smaller toilet room. Oscar said that when he leaned against the bathroom wall to balance himself he saw an open window which he felt confirmed his suspicion that an intruder had broken in.

Chaos followed, according to Pistorius, his fear and panic taking over.

“My eyes were going between the window and the toilet. I stood there for some time, I’m not sure how long,” he said.

According to Oscar, he was certain at that point that he could be attacked any moment.

“I heard a voice from inside the toilet that I perceived to be someone coming out of the toilet,” Pistorius continued. “Before I knew it I fired four shots at the door.”

His panic continued, Oscar testified, driving him to go back and search for Steenkamp in the bedroom which, tragically, was a fruitless search.

According to Pistorius, when he didn’t find her in the bedroom, it dawned upon him that it may have been Reeva who was in the bathroom.

“I was panicking at this point. I didn’t know what to make or what to do,” said Pistorius. “I don’t think I’ve ever screamed like that…. I was crying out to the Lord, I was crying out for Reeva.”

The emotion was so intense, Pistorius’ sister cried out from the audience, pushing Oscar over the edge also as he completely lost it and began crying hysterically. Court was adjourned shortly thereafter.

Oscar will be on the stand again tomorrow, again facing the intensely emotional environment and the demons created when he shot and killed Reeva. Cross examination is also reportedly expected to begin.

The true motivations and causes of the consistent outbursts, gestures and behaviors of Pistorius in the courtroom may never be completely known. But unless he is Brando, Pacino and O.J. all wrapped into one person, it’s hard to believe his emotions are all an act.

At the same time, if the prosecution is correct, and Oscar did intentionally gun down his girlfriend, then he is either lying or has somehow convinced himself that he really didn’t do this awful thing.

Hopefully the remainder of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial will answer some of these questions.

Image via Google Images