Judge scolds prosecutor for 'scornfully' laughing at Pistorius during cross-examination

The judge at the Oscar Pistorius murder trial had reportedly sternly reprimanded the chief prosecutor for laughing 'scornfully' at the Blade Runner during his interrogation on Thursday, and told him to restrain himself.

Pistorius was cross-examined relentlessly about his account of the moments just before he killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, as well as circumstances related to several firearms charges against him, including the firing of a gun in a crowded restaurant.

According to News24, prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who often sought to goad Pistorius by accusing him of being self-obsessed and hiding the truth about Steenkamp's death, briefly erupted in laughter after Pistorius suggested that two witnesses who said they once saw him shoot out of a car sunroof had collaborated and fabricated their accounts.

The report said that judge Thokozile Masipa sternly instructed the prosecutor to restrain himself from thinking that the case is 'entertaining', following which Nel apologised, saying that he would not laugh again, after people in the gallery murmured in surprise at his outburst.

The incident, for which he was charged with firing a gun in public without good reason, happened weeks before Steenkamp died, the report added.