An unexpected charge has been laid in the Oscar Pistorius case, but this time, it has nothing to do with the South African Olympian.
Lead detective Hilton Botha, is now being charged, along with two other officers, with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at a minibus in 2011. According to Bulewa Makeke, the spokeswoman for South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority, the case had been re-instated on Feb. 4 because more evidence had been gathered.
The decision to drop Botha from the Pistorius case is now in the hands of police officers. Makeke believes removing him is the right decision.
Investigative officer Botha has been in the police force for 24 years, but defense lawyer Barry Roux believes he cannot be trusted. On Wednesday, Botha admitted police had left a 9mm bullet in the toilet, near to where Pistorius’ girlfriend died. They also failed to keep a record of illegal ammunition found in the home. Botha then claimed he canvassed the property without wearing any protective shoe coverings, increasing the chances of contamination.
Roux believes the state may no longer have a strong case against Pistorius, due to the faulty evidence uncovered by Botha.
Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/02/21/oscar_pistorius_case_lead_detective_faces_7_counts_of_attempted_murder.html
