The judge in the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius on Monday banned live broadcasting and tweeting of the graphic testimony of the expert who conducted the autopsy on Reeva Steenkamp, who was fatally shot by her athlete boyfriend.
As the graphic evidence was read out in court, Pistorius appeared to vomit, the BBC and Sky News reported.
The court heard arguments about whether to allow audio and video broadcasting of the testimony of Prof. Gert Saayman, head of the forensic medicine department at the University of Pretoria.
Judge Thokozile Masipa announced the ban after prosecutor Gerrie Nel, supported by chief defense lawyer Barry Roux, said Saayman’s testimony would have an “explicitly graphic nature” and should not be shown around the world.
“It’s not a question of press freedom,” Nel said.
Before beginning his testimony, Saayman said the “very personal nature” of his autopsy findings as well as graphic details about the injuries could “compromise the dignity of the deceased,” as well as harm her friends and family, if they are broadcast.
“It goes against the good morals of society for us to make information of this nature available” in a way that children and other unsuspecting people might be exposed, Saayman said in the witness box.