There are three sides to every story

'My side, your side and the truth'.

The three varied versions of events are the Prosecution's, the Defence's and Oscar Pistorius'. It is frustrating not knowing who to 'believe'; however, identifying that the focus should be less on 'belief’ and more on proof and probability is the first step in maintaining sanity during this process.

Although lawyers Gerrie Nel and Barry Roux have performed tremendously thus far in the bail hearing it is evident that the latter, battling for the Defence, is emerging as the true showman. His cross-examination of Hilton Botha, ex-Leading Officer, and further questioning of the Prosecution’s charge of pre-meditated murder under Schedule 6 of South African law, reinforces his role. As surprising as it may seem, this does not involve presenting the truth; it is irrelevant in the eyes of the Magistrate.

For instance, during this hearing the Prosecution has placed heavy reliance on the witness claiming to have heard loud shouting and arguing from Oscar Pistorius’ residence. The aim is to establish Oscar Pistorius' state of mind in committing the ‘murder’; terminology used to describe the crime that the Defence vehemently dispute. Instead, the Defence highlight that the witness' house is located 600 metres from the crime scene. Additionally, it is alleged that the witness cannot confirm without any element of doubt that the shouting belonged to the couple at the centre of this tragedy.

This demonstrates two conflicting versions of events, one of which the Magistrate will find to be more probable than the other when deciding whether to grant bail. At the very least the Prosecution will have to establish the credibility of the witness’ statement. Failure to do so will render the ‘truth’ obsolete.

For those that continue to ping-pong between the varied arguments that have been put forward, consider the role that truth has to play as the bail hearing continues. The most credible set of facts will carry favour with the Magistrate; cue disarray within the Prosecution camp after today’s shocking revelation concerning Hilton Botha’s attempted murder charges.

It does raise the poignant question though, of whether the truth will ever be revealed?

No Longer Oscar Victorius

Witnessing the image of tears streaming down the face of a ruined man; this painfully tragic scene showcases a man isolated in court at the epicentre of a horrific nightmare.

As the bail hearing draws close and speculation regarding the trial builds, it is unsurprising to hear comparisons being drawn between Oscar Pistorius and O.J. Simpson, the infamous American sportsman controversially acquitted in 1995 of murdering his ex-wife. In the eyes of the televised global audience at this time, the latter was viewed as having committed murder in cold blood. 

Almost twenty years later, worldwide spectators today will certainly cast hawk-like glares upon Oscar Pistorius’ defence lawyer willing him to argue that the trigger was pulled during a period where he suffered a marred perception of reality. It is undoubtedly this empathy being demonstrated towards the accused that appears dissimilar to the case in 1995, as South Africans and sports fans alike are trying in vain to find reason, justification or excuses to explain this pitiful circumstance of a man once held in such heroic esteem.

It is this moral crisis ringing alarm bells in those that dare venture into feeling compassion for Oscar Pistorius, even in its remotest sense, that risk the self-imposed guilt of allowing his vast sporting achievements to cast shadow upon the loss of Reeva Steenkamp’s life. This man’s emphatic fight to be judged as an able bodied individual in the sporting world should now be echoed in the courtroom, where his crime should be arbitrated fairly and justly diminishing any regard for his status. 

As a symbol of South Africa’s future and the nation’s shared dreams, the Paralympic champion had proved successful in superficially diverting attention on the world stage away from the widely held negative publicity the country has received in regards to violent crime in recent years.

It is for these reasons that many have appeared to draw logic behind Oscar Pistorius’ actions; it softens the burden of acknowledging that this idolised figure has plummeted from the pedestal where he had been so firmly placed.