Pistorius Investigating Officer Hilton Botha Faces “Seven Counts Of Attempted Murder”
According to South Africa's Eyewitness News, Hilton Botha, lead investigator in the Oscar Pistorius shooting, was allegedly involved in a drunken shooting incident with three other police officers in 2011.
It is alleged the three law enforcement officials were drunk while driving a state vehicle when they opened fire on a mini-bus taxi loaded with passengers. They were arrested in 2011.
Police have confirmed Botha was arrested for the shooting. The charges were initially dropped, but have since been reinstated. Police spokesperson Neville Malila said "There was a decision taken by the DPP's office to charge the members, each one of them with seven counts of attempted murder. That was the number of people that were in the taxi."
We told you Monday morning that Botha had a rough day at the bail hearing as he stumbled and backtracked while under cross examination by Oscar Pistorius's attorney. His credibility took a hit Wednesday and it may be gone entirely by the time the hearing resumes Thursday.
Update, 1:13 a.m.: Karyn Maughan, a legal reporter for eNCA appears to have conducted an interview with Botha where he addresses the reports he stands accused of attempted murder. The case was withdrawn in 2009 and just reinstated yesterday, Botha suspects because of his work on the Pistorius case. Botha claims his blood was never tested for alcohol and he says he was not drunk. He was pursuing the taxi in connection with another murder case he was working on and the taxi tried to run he and his fellow officers off the road, so they opened fire.
http://deadspin.com/5985833/report-pistorius-investigating-office-hilton-botha-faces-seven-counts-of-attempted-murder
This investigation is and was so effed by the police.
Botha walked through the crime scene with no coverings to prevent contamination. The defense then found a projectile left behind in the toilet bowl.
South Africa's OJ moment as far as handling this case. Botha was pathetic when cross-examined.
The magistrate may even reduce this to a Schedule 5 for bail which is much less severe.
I don't know if they have or will gather enough evidence and present it cogently after reading all of this mishegas.
@AntDeRosa: "Police plan to keep him on the Pistorius murder case despite the charges" whattttttt?
= new reply since forum marked as read
As a joke, when he dropped his briefcase.
wtf
Our reporter Lucy Thornton, in court C today, just spotted Pistorius's defence lawyer Barry Roux drop his briefcase.
He laughed and joked: "There goes my case!"
Not even a good try.
Very interesting, since I blockquoted your post. So, you are admitting that what you posted was inaccurate and misleading. Gotcha.
And, the Prosecutor admitted no such thing. He said it "wryly," ie humorously.
Having fun this morning, aren't you? Sorry I can't play anymore, as I have to work.
