By Nick Butler

It was a distressing day in court today for Oscar Pistorius as the trial entered its second week ©AFP/Getty ImagesMarch 10 - Oscar Pistorius sobbed and vomited into a bucket as the emotion proved too much to handle in the aftermath of a graphic description of the death of Reeva Steenkamp on day six of his trial in Pretoria.


State pathologist Gert Saayman described how Steenkamp had been dressed in a grey Nike shorts and a black vest top when she was killed by three bullets fired by Pistorius through a bathroom door on Valentine's Day last year. 

He said the model was shot in the hip, arm and head and was also injured by shrapnel and splinters from the door.

She also suffered a wound to her hand probably caused by her raising it to protect her face - while the bullet to her head splintered on impact with parts embedded in her brain.

Pistorius, who claims he shot the 29-year old model inadvertently after mistaking her for an intruder, lost all semblance of the composure he kept so under control throughout the first five days of the trial. 

The court had to be adjourned several times while the South African regained his composure ©AFP/Getty ImagesThe court had to be adjourned several times while the South African regained his composure ©AFP/Getty Images



He rocked back and forth, hands clasped behind his head in what came across as an attempt to block out what he was hearing, while his hands also shook violently as he strove to cover his ears.

The six-time Paralympian gold medallist also threw up repeatedly into a bucket placed in the dock by one of the custody officers - to the extent that court had to be adjourned several time while he recovered.

Despite the landmark decision to televise the trial last month, live broadcasting and tweeting of evidence from Professor Gert Saayman was banned after both legal teams argued it should not be shown.

This decision was also backed by Saayman himself who said his testimony could "compromise the dignity of the deceased" and upset her family and friends if it was broadcast.

Print media were told they could publish "summarised, paraphrased and responsible" reports about what was said during the hearing.

A protester outside court makes her opinion known on what the verdict should be ©AFP/Getty ImagesA protester outside court makes her opinion known on what the verdict should be
©AFP/Getty Images







This follows a first week of the trial in which evidence was provided by several neighbours as well as by friends and a former girlfriend of Pistorius who reported past examples of his gun yet.

The trial is set to continue for some time yet before a final decision is made.