“Heartbroken man” Oscar Pistorius couldn’t control his tears hours after gunning down girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a South African government social worker testified on Thursday.
Defense lawyers worked on painting a sympathetic picture of Pistorius, who they claim shot Steenkamp in a tragic case of mistaken identity, thinking she was an intruder.
“I saw a heartbroken man,” social worker Yvette van Schalkwyk testified, recalling her jailhouse visit with the former Olympian a day after the shooting. “He cried 80 percent of the time. He talked to me about what they planned for the future, his future with her.”
Prosecutors claim Pistorius — known as Blade Runner for his artificial racing limbs — gunned down Steenkamp after a bitter argument in the early-morning hours of Feb. 14, 2013.
Pistorius has openly sobbed and wailed during his trial — prompting prosecutors to accuse him of faking sorrow.
Under cross-examination by prosecutor Gerrie Nel on Thursday, van Schalkwyk conceded Pistorius never said he was sorry for shooting Steenkamp, 29.
Nel suggested that Pistorius, 27, only cried out of self-pity. “It’s all about him,” Nel said.
Pistorius’ defense lawyers said they could be wrapped up by the end of next week.