Friend testifies Oscar Pistorius fired gun in restaurant
PRETORIA, South Africa - Once the darling of the media, track star and Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius now runs a gantlet of reporters to get inside the courtroom each day.
He's charged with the premeditated murder of his glamorous girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
The prosecution is trying to paint a picture of a violent, gun-obsessed man given to explosive fits of rage.
Lerena testified he met a group of friends - including the track star - in a packed restaurant when Pistorius accidentally fired a pistol under the table.
Lerena said he was shocked. "The bullet never hit my foot, thank God, but the shrapnel caught me. I was a bit cut."
"I do remember Oscar saying, 'Please. Please, Darren, please just say it was you, I don't want any attention around me, just say it was you.'"
The defense argues that Pistorius kept guns for his own protection. Defense attorneys say he and Steenkamp were in a loving relationship. Security camera pictures taken 10 days before the killing apparently show a happy and affectionate couple.
A total of 107 witnesses will be called by the prosecution. Among them will be neighbors, ex-girlfriends, forensic experts and police detectives.
The trial is expected to last several months.
