A 'bat and door' emerge in Pistorius trial

Forensic investigator Johannes Vermeulen, with a cricket bat in hand, demonstrates on a mock-up toilet and door details of how the door could have been broken down, during the trial of Oscar Pistorius in court during the second week of his trial in Pretoria, South Africa, Wednesday, March 12, 2014. Pistorius is charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day in 2013. At center back is prosecutor Gerrie Nel. (AP Photo/Alexander Joe, Pool)

A South African forensic analyst has said at the Oscar Pistorius murder trial that a cricket bat was used to strike the toilet door at the athlete’s home, in testimony focusing on the events of the night when Pistorius fatally shot his girlfriend.

Police Col. J. G. Vermeulen on Wednesday lifted the bat in court and showed where it hit the wooden, bullet-marked door, another key piece of evidence that was erected in the courtroom.

Pistorius has said he shot Steenkamp by mistake, fearing she was an intruder in the night, and then bashed the door open with a cricket bat to get to his girlfriend when he realized what had happened. The prosecution says the Feb. 14, 2013 killing was intentional and followed an argument between the couple.