Gildenberreich » ing his 16 years with the Longhorns program.ddddddd

PRETORIA, South Africa - More than a year after he killed his girlfriend, Oscar Pistorius is expected to finally answer questions about why he shot Reeva Steenkamp through a toilet door when his murder trial resumes this week and his defence lawyers begin presenting the evidence they hope will save the Olympic athlete from going to prison for 25 years to life. Pistorius account that he killed Steenkamp by mistake is going to "stand or fall" with his testimony in court, a legal expert says. Charged with premeditated murder for Steenkamps death, Pistorius and his defence team say he will testify to counter accusations that he intentionally killed Steenkamp by firing four times through the door in his bathroom before dawn on Valentines Day last year, hitting her in the head, arm and hip. Pistorius says he mistook Steenkamp for a dangerous intruder hiding in a toilet cubicle. South Africa has no trial by jury, meaning Judge Thokozile Masipa will pronounce Pistorius guilty or not guilty of murder, and Pistorius has the chance to convince her that he did not intentionally kill the 29-year-old model. But Pistorius testimony also gives prosecutors the chance to cross-examine the celebrated double-amputee runner and scrutinize every aspect of his story. Facing a possible life sentence, his questioning by chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel could be the biggest challenge yet for the 27-year-old Pistorius, a disabled athlete who fought for years to win the right to compete alongside able-bodied runners and made history by running at the 2012 Olympics. Brian Webber, one of Pistorius lawyers, said they had no choice but to put Pistorius on the stand. Legal experts say its a risk Pistorius defence has to take. In a rare comment after the prosecution closed its case, Pistorius said "we have a lot ahead of us." Pistorius often reacted emotionally to details of Steenkamps death in the four weeks of prosecution-led testimony at his trial. He retched loudly and vomited in court when a pathologist described Steenkamps grisly injuries and cried and frequently covered his ears while sitting in the dock in an apparent attempt to block out graphic testimony. During his own testimony, he will have to describe in depth his fatal shooting of Steenkamp. "He cant ignore it," Marius du Toit, a criminal defence lawyer and former state prosecutor in South Africa who is observing the trial, said of Pistorius testifying. "He has to get into the box and confirm his version and be open to cross-examination. And this matter is going to stand or fall with that." Defendants in South Africa have the right to remain silent but because he has admitted killing Steenkamp, Pistorius is under pressure to tell the court why he decided to shoot through the door with his 9 mm pistol without knowing — in his version — who was on the other side. Prosecutors charge that Pistorius murdered Steenkamp after a fight and he must dispel their accusations that he intentionally shot her as she hid behind the locked door, legal experts say. Pistorius likely wont be the first witness the defence calls on Monday, but he should take the stand straight after pathologist Prof. Jan Botha gives evidence. Pistorius has not yet spoken publicly about the shooting, only giving his side in a written statement at his bail hearing a year ago and in court documents presented at the start of the trial last month. In those statements, Pistorius claims to have been in a loving relationship with Steenkamp but, in fear for his life, he shot at what he thought was an intruder after hearing a window being opened in his bathroom and then a noise inside the cubicle. Even if he is acquitted of murder, Pistorius faces a negligent killing conviction which can carry a five-year prison sentence. His testimony must show that he acted reasonably when he shot four times from close range. "A reasonable man most probably would not have fired four shots through the door," lawyer and observer du Toit said. "His actions were definitely not reasonable and I think thats his biggest problem." ___ Gerald Imray is on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GeraldImrayAP Glenn Robinson Bucks Jersey . Louis Cardinals pitcher Jaime Garcia will have surgery on his left shoulder this week and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Vin Baker Bucks Jersey . Englands only win in the four most recent trips north had been tight, and Scotland was expected after losing 28-6 to Ireland six days ago to show some venom against its archrival. https://www.bucksrookiesshop.com/D-J-Wilson-City-Edition-Jersey/ .C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes used a strong third period to extend their winning streak to three games. Khris Middleton Bucks Jersey . The Grizzlies erased most of a 25-point deficit before Durant, the leagues scoring champion, got hot. Cameron Reynolds Bucks Jersey .com) - His team lost in the round of 16 of the FCS playoffs, yet Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley says his team has made a strong case to be voted to the top 5 in the final rankings.Mack Brown denied a report issued Tuesday that he will be stepping down at Texas, though the embattled head football coachs future with the Longhorns remains swirled in uncertainty. The website Orangebloods.com reported that Brown, whose job security has been a heavy topic of speculation over the past few months, will announce his resignation by the end of the week. When contacted by website Horns247.com later in the day, Brown responded that he is currently on a recruiting trip and has not decided to leave his post. "Im in Florida recruiting," Brown said in the message. "If I had decided to step down I sure wouldnt be killing myself down here. I have not decided to step down." Sources also told Horns247.com that the university is expected to make a decision on Browns job status within the next 48 hours. ESPN reported that Browns fate will likely be tied to a meeting of the universitys Board of Regents scheduled for Thursday, during which the future of Texas president Bill Powers is also to be discussed. Powers has been an ardent supporter of Brown during his eight-year tenure at the school. According to Orangebloods.com, Brown is expected to formally resign at Texas football banquet on Friday, with the event to serve as a celebratiion of his accomplishments during his 16 years with the Longhorns program.dddddddddddd The site indicated that Brown will coach the team in the Dec. 30 Alamo Bowl, where Texas will face Oregon in San Antonio. Brown, who is under contract through 2020, will reportedly receive a $2.75 million buyout and be reassigned to an advisory role in the UT presidents office over the remainder of his pact. Taking over a floundering Texas program prior to the 1998 season, Brown restored the Longhorns back to national prominence by stringing together nine consecutive campaigns of double-digit wins from 2001-09. The highlight of that period came during the 2005 season, when the Longhorns capped a 13-0 performance with a victory over USC in the BCS Championship Game. Brown also took the Longhorns to the national title game in 2009, but the program has been in decline since. Texas has gone just 30-20 over the past four seasons and finished in the national rankings in just one of those years. Texas lost two of its first three games of this season, but rebounded to go 7-1 in Big 12 play prior to Saturdays 30-10 loss to league champion Baylor. Browns 158 wins at Texas are the second-most in school history, surpassed only by Hall of Famer Darrell Royals 167. ' ' '