Court proceedings in the murder trial of South African double-amputee Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius were adjourned on Monday after he vomited on hearing a pathologist present details from the autopsy of his late girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius put his head between his knees, his hands over his head and blocked his ears as forensic medicine professor Gert Saayman gave graphic evidence of the injuries Steenkamp suffered when Pistorius shot her through the bathroom door in his Pretoria home.
The athlete then made retching noises and cried during Mr. Saayman’s testimony. His face was red, and his hands shook. A court official moved a microphone away from him to hide the sound of vomiting.
Judge Thokozile Masipa asked Pistorius’ lawyer Barry Roux if his client was well. Mr. Roux replied he was not going to feel well during the forensic evidence.
Mr. Roux asked for an adjournment until the afternoon, which was granted.
Judge Masipa had ruled that unlike the rest of the trial, details of the autopsy could not be broadcast live. Mr. Saayman had argued it would offend the dignity of the victim.
Pistorius, who has been charged with the premeditated murder of Steenkamp, says he mistook her for a burglar.
