Roux asks how rapid shots would effect Reeva's body

11 March 2014 - 12:10 By Sapa
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LIFE CUT SHORT: This photo of Reeva Steenkamp graced the cover of the programme at her funeral service in February 2013.
LIFE CUT SHORT: This photo of Reeva Steenkamp graced the cover of the programme at her funeral service in February 2013.
Image: Picture: THE HERALD

The effect of several rapid gunshots on a body was raised by Oscar Pistorius's lawyer in the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday.

Barry Roux told pathologist Prof Gert Saayman, who was in the witness box, he wanted to understand the trauma on a body by shots fired in quick succession.

Saayman said shots fired into a person's hip or arm could cause a fight or flight response, but would not affect cognitive functions.

Saayman said to questioning from prosecutor Gerrie Nel that he estimated he had performed between 10,000 and 15,000 medico-legal post mortem examinations.

Pistorius is accused of the murder of model and law graduate Reeva Steenkamp on February 14 last year. She was shot in the arm, hip and head.

He is also charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and two counts of discharging a firearm in public.

He allegedly fired a shot from a Glock pistol under a table at a Johannesburg restaurant in January 2013.

In September 2010 he allegedly shot through the open sunroof of a car with his 9mm pistol while driving with friends in Modderfontein.

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