Oscar Pistorius murder trial: Live updates as court hears athlete is 'paradox of an individual'

The 27-year-old athlete is accused of murdering model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year
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9:48 am
We are now back onto the night of Miss Steenkamp's death.
Professor Derman tells the court the noise from the bathroom on the night of her death led Pistorius to think there was a threat.
He again refers to the flight or fight response.

 
9:41 am
Pistorius' defence team are building up an image of the athlete being a vulnerable, anxious man who often felt defenceless.
This is one of the reasons why he bought a firearm, the court is told.
 
9:38 am
Pistorius' defence team are now reading from the psychologist's report which was yesterday censored by the judge.
It reveals that the athlete suffers from agoraphobia - an anxiety of public places.
The 27-year-old feels defenceless with his prosthesis on, the court hears.
"I am stuffed without them", Pistorius told the psychologist.
9:27 am
Professor Derman is asked if the start training from athletics can relate to Pistorius' response when he heard a sound in the toilet on the night Steenkamp was killed.
He tells the court the athlete’s training to react quickly to the start gun conditions the brain to react to auditory stimuli.
9:23 am
The witness has been talking about how athletics training has "conditioned" Pistorius to react to a loud noise.
Obviously, races start following a gun shot.
Pistorius' lawyer Kenny Oldwage asks Professor Derman if this can create conditioning in a person. He replies it can.
It is clear where this line of questioning is going.
9:16 am
Oscar Pistorius has a "profound fear of crime" , the court is told.
Professor Derman says "he is aware of crime and home invasions that have occurred within the estate where he resides."
The defence team appear to be enjoying this witness.
9:12 am
Pistorius has "a lifetime of real and learnt vulnerability as a consequence of his disability" says Professor Derman.
He adds that the athlete has suffered "multiple traumatic events and losses in his early life."
It is worth remembering too that Professor Derman may well be the final witness of this trial.
9:08 am
Professor Derman seems to be relishing speaking in court.
He has been discussing the problems faced by disabled people in everyday life.

8:59 am
Professor Derman says there is a "paradox" with Pistorius that is "difficult to understand".
"You have a paradox of an individual who is supremely able and an individual who is significantly disabled" he told the court.
"The template of him with his arms out crossing the finishing line competing in able-bodied competitions represents his triumph over his disability."
He says the "difference in this template causes a significant amount of stress and anxiety."
8:53 am
The professor tells the court that the athlete has fought hard against the stigma of disability.
But he adds: "The truth is that he does not have any lower legs."
8:48 am
Professor Derman was asked why Pistorius didn't just run away if he thought there was a danger in his home.
He replies by saying: "In this case fleeing is not an option...no legs...so other option is to fight, approaching danger is understandable."
8:41 am
Pistorius' defence team now going over what happened on the night Miss Steenkamp was killed.
Professor Derman is asked about Pistorius' evidence when he told the court he was feeling 'vulnerable' yet he approached what he thought was the danger in his home.
"The approach after a startled response is consistent with a fight or flight approach", he says.
8:34 am
The court is now in session.
Professor Wayne Derman, who works at the University of Cape Town, and was formerly the chief medical officer of the South African Olympic and Paralympic teams, is back giving evidence.

7:54 am
Good morning and welcome to our live blog where we will be covering the trial of Oscar Pistorius.
The Paralympian denies the murder of former girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year.
Pistorius, 27, shot the model through the bathroom door of his house in Pretoria.
He insists the killing was a tragic accident when he mistook Reeva for an intruder.
However, prosecutors say it was murder.
His trial is due to start at 8.30am UK time.
Will will bring you all the latest updates here.

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