# Blade Runner's court statement - what ya think? guilty or Not? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 20, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845 "2013-02-20T01:47:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/21 "2013-02-20T09:37:50Z")
I always thought “shoot first, ask questions later” was meant to be an ironic joke. I never realised anybody would take it seriously. If he didn’t do it deliberately, he’s the stupidest most dangerous lunatic with a gun ever and should be locked up forever. If he did do it, he should be locked up forever. So that’s that solved. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/22 "2013-02-20T15:21:15Z")
I thought I also read recently that his claim that he felt vulnearable since he didn’t have his prosthetic legs on and shot through the door from the floor did not match the bullet holes in the bathroom door which showed a downward trajectory as haing been fired from a higher up standing position. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/23 "2013-02-20T15:32:06Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > I thought I also read recently that his claim that he felt vulnearable since he didn’t have his prosthetic legs on and shot through the door from the floor did not match the bullet holes in the bathroom door which showed a downward trajectory as haing been fired from a higher up standing position. Maybe he climbed up on the counter first. Or pulled up one of the ladders leaning against the house through the window. It all makes sense to me. Nothing fills me with a sense of horror like the sound of someone peeing. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/24 "2013-02-20T15:39:24Z")
> [@ecoaster](#): > > If he woke up disoriented and heard noises in the bathroom I suppose it’s possible that he was so hyperfocused and anxious that he didn’t check the bed (although I do find this a little far-fetched). That’s not what Pistorius says happened, so I assume the evidence doesn’t support it either. He says he woke up, got out of bed to move a fan on his balcony, closed the door, the blinds and the curtains, then heard a noise in the bathroom, went back to his bedroom for his gun, went to the bathroom door (while shouting to his girlfriend), and fired the gun. ---
**Author:** ![solosam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@solosam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solosam)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/25 "2013-02-20T16:05:24Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > What kind of person who lives with someone else would shoot through a closed door without saying, “Who’s there?” > > Sorry, doesn’t sound plausible to me. This is murder, or at the very least depraved and criminal negligence. As I’ve mentioned before, firing without identifying your target is profoundly negligent. He has to know, at a minimum, that the target is actually an intruder and there is really a threat. Shooting a target you cannot see and have no way of identifying (he didn’t even bother to challenge) is profoundly negligent for exactly this reason. I don’t know of any agency (whether police or military or civilian) that actually authorizes people to shoot an unidentified target. The second major problem is that, even if he did know the target was a threat, he is still responsibile for every bullet fired. If he could not see the target, he has no way of aiming his weapon. For all he knew, his bullets could be over-penetrating and flying all over creation. It’s one thing to aim at a target and miss, it’s another thing to fire randomly because you have no way of aiming. This guy should be in jail for the rest of his life. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/26 "2013-02-20T16:17:02Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > I thought I also read recently that his claim that he felt vulnearable since he didn’t have his prosthetic legs on and shot through the door from the floor did not match the bullet holes in the bathroom door which showed a downward trajectory as haing been fired from a higher up standing position. I was wondering about this too. His statement said he was not wearing his prosthetics when he shot. The police say he was. It seems to me that this is a relatively simple forensic exercise and will destroy his credibility (such as it is) if the angle of entry agrees with the police scenario. Also put me down for “guilty of illegal homicide even if his story is 100% true.” I don’t know if there is any legal significance to reckless versus negligent behavior in this case, but at a minimum he’s guilty of negligent homicide, and to me it’s clear he was absolutely beyond negligent and clearly reckless. His actions are ludicrous even when read in the best possible light offered by his defense! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/27 "2013-02-20T16:28:43Z")
Pistorius never called the cops or emergency services, did he? Neither before he killed his girlfriend or after. If he was so paranoid about security why did he allow ladders to be left against his house, and why was his balcony open (he went out there to move a fan - if it was closed he wouldn’t need to move the fan)? StG ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/28 "2013-02-20T16:53:38Z")
> [@Lord\_Mondegreen](#): > > He doesn’t have a leg to stand on. I’m glad someone thought of a joke for this…I was stumped. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/29 "2013-02-20T17:12:04Z")
[The prosecutors are arguing that he aimed for her deliberately because if he’d fired straight through the bathroom door, he wouldn’t have hit her.](http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/20/world/africa/south-africa-pistorius-case/index.html?hpt=hp_t1) (I guess the defense will say he was aiming in the direction of the window.) The two sides agree that there were no other physical signs of abuse, although there was blood on the cricket bat. The defense is also criticizing the quality of the investigation. ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/30 "2013-02-20T17:14:17Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Pistorius never called the cops or emergency services, did he? Neither before he killed his girlfriend or after. If he was so paranoid about security why did he allow ladders to be left against his house, and why was his balcony open (he went out there to move a fan - if it was closed he wouldn’t need to move the fan)? > > StG He did. The police, with deliberate or accidental incompetence, did not check all the phones. The site security people confirm they were called. The police case is falling apart so badly it looks like Cleuseau levels of incompetence or a deliberate attempt to let him walk. Their ‘argument and gunshot’ witness turns out to have been 300 or 600 metres away and heard 8 shots over a 17 minute period. She didn’t know who was arguing either. But I agree with others here. Even with putting his story in the best of all possible lights he must go down for a long time else anyone in SA with a gun and a semi-plausible self defence story to spin can get away with murder. Thankfully The Onion has published a [useful guide](http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-onions-tips-for-not-accidentally-murdering-you,31359/) because as they say: > [@](#): > > In today’s fast-paced world, it seems like just about any guy can accidentally kill his girlfriend at virtually any time. Here are some easy strategies to avoid inadvertently murdering your significant other: Point 5 is particularly apposite: > [@](#): > > If there is a locked door in your home and there is even a remote possibility that the person you’re currently dating is behind that door and could be immediately killed by the bullets you fire at the door, try not to fire a gun directly at that door. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/31 "2013-02-20T18:27:17Z")
> [@lost4life](#): > > I’m glad someone thought of a joke for this…I was stumped. You know, after more reading I found that he was amputated halfway between his knees and his ankles; so he actually has _most_ of both of his legs. He’s not legless, he’s not half a man, he’s not a good candidate for these tiring, unfunny jokes. ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/32 "2013-02-20T18:40:06Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > You know, after more reading I found that he was amputated halfway between his knees and his ankles; so he actually has _most_ of both of his legs. He’s not legless, he’s not half a man, he’s not a good candidate for these tiring, unfunny jokes. Am I the only one who finds it amusing that **Ambivalid** is leading a crusade against hacky offensive one-liners? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/33 "2013-02-20T18:44:22Z")
> [@colander](#): > > Am I the only one who finds it amusing that **Ambivalid** is leading a crusade against hacky offensive one-liners? Are you implying that I myself am a source of “hacky, offensive” one-liners? (and just for the record, I NEVER said anything about the Pistorius jokes being “offensive”. Those are your words, not mine) ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/34 "2013-02-20T18:54:21Z")
Dude. I’m offended by hacky stupid one-liners, if you’re looking for someone to take up the mantle of Person Who Is Offended By Shitty Jokes. As for the OP, I think Pistorius is guilty, guilty, guilty, with a side of guilty, and a sprinkling of guilty on top. His story defies belief. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/35 "2013-02-20T19:32:08Z")
> [@colander](#): > > Am I the only one who finds it amusing that **Ambivalid** is leading a crusade against hacky offensive one-liners? His story comes up short no matter how you cut it. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/36 "2013-02-20T20:33:02Z")
> [@ecoaster](#): > > Prosecution will have to prove there was a dispute or motive for the killing. No they don’t. Unless South Africa’s legal system has changed quite dramatically from its roots, all they have to prove is that Oscar Pistorius deliberately killed Reeva Steenkamp. A motive would certainly help, but it’s not necessary. It’s going to be up to a jury or judge (I believe Pistorius has a choice) to decide if they believe his excuse. ---
**Author:** ![ctnguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@ctnguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctnguy)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/37 "2013-02-20T21:38:11Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > A motive would certainly help, but it’s not necessary. It’s going to be up to a jury or judge (I believe Pistorius has a choice) to decide if they believe his excuse. Trial by jury was abolished in 1969; the case will either be heard by a judge and two assessors - generally advocates or retired magistrates; questions of fact are answered by the majority decision of the three members of the court - or by a judge sitting alone. Defendants are not entitled to assessors as of right, and in any case I am led to believe that many defence advocates prefer not to have assessors. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/38 "2013-02-20T21:41:38Z")
"Your honor, we find the defendant _incredibly guilty_.\* \*adapted from _The Producers_. ---
**Author:** ![ecoaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/85e7bf/32.png) [@ecoaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ecoaster)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/39 "2013-02-21T02:07:16Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > No they don’t. Unless South Africa’s legal system has changed quite dramatically from its roots, all they have to prove is that Oscar Pistorius deliberately killed Reeva Steenkamp. > > A motive would certainly help, but it’s not necessary. It’s going to be up to a jury or judge (I believe Pistorius has a choice) to decide if they believe his excuse. Let me clarify, for premeditated murder they will indeed need to prove there was an “extent of reflection” prior to Pistorius shooting Reeva. So a motive or dispute could therefore substantiate the definition of “deliberate”. There is no other conventional way to prove deliberation. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845/40 "2013-02-21T02:20:12Z")
> [@ecoaster](#): > > Let me clarify, for premeditated murder they will indeed need to prove there was an “extent of reflection” prior to Pistorius shooting Reeva. So a motive or dispute could therefore substantiate the definition of “deliberate”. There is no other conventional way to prove deliberation. The prosecutor seems to be arguing that Pistorius knew she was in there and shot at her deliberately - and that’s all the reflection there needs to be. What we don’t know at this point is why the prosecution is so sure this was deliberate. I think the bail hearing ends on Thursday, so we may not hear that much more until the actual trial starts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blade-runners-court-statement-what-ya-think-guilty-or-not/650845.md?page=3)