According to a new book, Oscar Pistorius may have beat Reeva Steenkamp with a cricket bat before he shot her.
Pistorius claims that he believed Reeva was an intruder and had been protecting himself. He also addressed the use of the weapon by saying that he used the cricket bat to break down the door after shooting.
However, new book Oscar vs The Truth, by brothers Calvin and Thomas Mollett, says that bruising on Reeva's back was overlooked. They have now analysed the bruising and say that the bat may have been used on Reeva prior to the shooting. They examined the quantity, distribution and position of all the wounds on Reeva's body and claim that the pathologist failed to take these factors fully in to account.
Advert
This could mean that Reeva was possibly running away from Pistorius, and had locked herself in the bathroom to get away from him.
Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp back in 2013
According to the Daily Maverick, the pair wrote: "Oscar went after her with a cricket bat - infuriated that she locked herself away from him - and to scare and frighten her, he hit the door with the cricket bat about two to three times and also hit the steel plate against the bathtub wall."
Pistorius claimed that he broke down the door with around three or four strikes of the baseball bat. However, the brothers argue that the handle was torn and stretched, and after testing with a similar bat, it failed to produce any wear after 20 strikes.
Advert
Not only that, but they believe that the couple had an argument that lasted more than an hour throughout the whole house.
They quoted the couple's neighbour, Estelle van der Merwe, who gave evidence at the trial.
The brothers wrote: "Van der Merwe said she couldn't hear the words or language, but judging from the 'movement' in the tone of the voice she was confident it came from a woman.
Advert
"It sounded like the woman was arguing with someone - although she couldn't hear a second voice.
"The female voice was quiet for periods ranging from five to 20 minutes, and lasted for about an hour."
The former Olympian's manslaughter verdict was overturned by the Supreme Court of Appeal back in December.
He was originally sentenced to serve five years behind bars for shooting his former girlfriend through a toilet door on Valentine's Day 2013, at his home in Pretoria.
Advert
However, just two days before the end of his sentence, he was released and put under house arrest at his uncle's mansion.
He now faces new sentencing in June this year for the murder of Reeva.
Words by Mel Ramsay
Featured Image Credit: