Oscar Pistorius Prayed Over Girlfriend's Injured Body, Witness Testifies
As Oscar Pistorius' trial continues, more is being revealed about what happened the day he allegedly shot his girlfriend, Reva Steenkamp, to death. One witness has now testified that Pistorius prayed over Steenkamp's body as she lay dying.
"It was obvious that she was mortally wounded," radiologist Johan Stripp testified. "I tried to assist her. I tried to open an airway. I went near her and as I bent down, I also noticed a man on the left, kneeling by her side. He had his left hand on her right groin, and his right hand, the second and third fingers in her mouth."
Stripp said that he saw a wound in Steenkamp's right thigh, upper arm, and the right side of the head. He tried to help in whatever way he could until authorities arrived, but Steenkamp didn't survive the shooting.
"She had no pulse in the neck, she had no peripheral pulse," Stripp testified. "She had no breathing movements that she made. Oscar was crying all the time. He was praying to God, 'Please let her live.' Oscar said he would dedicate 'his life and her life to God' if she would live."
Pistorius is charged with premeditated murder in the Valentine's Day shooting of Steenkamp, though he maintains that he thought he was shooting an intruder. Steenkamp was shot four times and died from her wounds.
During Stripp's testimony, Pistorius was visibly shaken and covered his ears to avoid hearing any gruesome details. He stayed that way for quite some time, even after his lawyer made it clear that it was "safe" for him to remove his hands.
If found guilty, Pistorius will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. It will be a huge change for the former Olympian, who enjoyed worldwide fame and the nickname "The Blade Runner" due to his speed. The case has captivated the world and continues in South Africa.