A South African investigator says police have not found any inconsistencies in Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius's account of the shooting of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
Detective Hilton Botha made the acknowledgement under questioning from a defense attorney Wednesday, on the second day of a bail hearing in the case that has drawn worldwide attention.
Pistorius insists he thought he was shooting at a burglar and had no intention of killing Steenkamp at his home last Thursday. Prosecutors say the nighttime shooting through a bathroom door was premeditated murder.
Botha said the shots through the door were fired downward, suggesting Pistorius, known as the "blade runner" for his artificial legs, put the legs on before heading to the door. Pistorius said in an affidavit Tuesday that he was moving around on his stumps.
Earlier, while answering questions from the prosecution, the detective said a witness heard a gunshot, followed by a woman screaming, then more gunshots. The prosecution also said a witness heard an hour of non-stop fighting before the shooting.
The defense questioned the credibility of those witnesses, as the investigator said the one who heard the shots had the wrong number fired and the one who reported hearing shouting was 600 meters from the home.
The defense also rebutted the investigator's report of finding testosterone and needles, saying the substance was an herbal remedy.
The detective told the hearing that police found one shell casing outside the bathroom where prosecutors say Steenkamp locked herself before the shooting, and three more shell casings inside.
The magistrate overseeing the hearing ruled Tuesday that premeditation cannot be excluded in the case, but that the charge could be downgraded later. Premeditated murder carries a possible lifetime prison sentence.
Investigators have said Steenkamp was shot by a 9-millimeter pistol registered to Pistorius.
Her family held a private funeral Tuesday in Port Elizabeth, while the hearing was taking place.
Pistorius is regarded as a sports hero and national icon in South Africa. He made history in August when he became the first double amputee to run at the Olympics.
Detective Hilton Botha made the acknowledgement under questioning from a defense attorney Wednesday, on the second day of a bail hearing in the case that has drawn worldwide attention.
Pistorius insists he thought he was shooting at a burglar and had no intention of killing Steenkamp at his home last Thursday. Prosecutors say the nighttime shooting through a bathroom door was premeditated murder.
Botha said the shots through the door were fired downward, suggesting Pistorius, known as the "blade runner" for his artificial legs, put the legs on before heading to the door. Pistorius said in an affidavit Tuesday that he was moving around on his stumps.
Earlier, while answering questions from the prosecution, the detective said a witness heard a gunshot, followed by a woman screaming, then more gunshots. The prosecution also said a witness heard an hour of non-stop fighting before the shooting.
The defense questioned the credibility of those witnesses, as the investigator said the one who heard the shots had the wrong number fired and the one who reported hearing shouting was 600 meters from the home.
The defense also rebutted the investigator's report of finding testosterone and needles, saying the substance was an herbal remedy.
The detective told the hearing that police found one shell casing outside the bathroom where prosecutors say Steenkamp locked herself before the shooting, and three more shell casings inside.
The magistrate overseeing the hearing ruled Tuesday that premeditation cannot be excluded in the case, but that the charge could be downgraded later. Premeditated murder carries a possible lifetime prison sentence.
Investigators have said Steenkamp was shot by a 9-millimeter pistol registered to Pistorius.
Her family held a private funeral Tuesday in Port Elizabeth, while the hearing was taking place.
Pistorius is regarded as a sports hero and national icon in South Africa. He made history in August when he became the first double amputee to run at the Olympics.