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Pistorius' Neighbors Heard Man's Cries


Oscar Pistorius, center, leaves after the court adjourned for the day in Pretoria, South Africa, on May 6, 2014.
Oscar Pistorius, center, leaves after the court adjourned for the day in Pretoria, South Africa, on May 6, 2014.
A man who was the next-door neighbor of South African runner Oscar Pistorius said he heard a man crying loudly and calling for help on the night the athlete fatally shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

Michael Nhlengethwa testified Tuesday -- day 27 of Pistorius’ murder trial -- that he and his wife heard a man crying out in a high-pitched voice.

He also said he thought he heard the words, "No, please, please, no."

Nhlengethwa’s testimony could bolster the defense team's stance that Pistorius accidentally shot Steenkamp in February 2013. Pistorius has testified he thought she was an intruder when he fired shots through his bathroom door.

Prosecutors argue that Pistorius intentionally shot Steenkamp after a heated argument.
Kim Myers, a friend of the late Reeva Steenkamp, listens to a witness testify at the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius, in Pretoria, South Africa, on May 6, 2014
Kim Myers, a friend of the late Reeva Steenkamp, listens to a witness testify at the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius, in Pretoria, South Africa, on May 6, 2014

Also, a friend of Steenkamp’s who was in the courtroom on Tuesday accused Pistorius of making a “sinister” remark to her during a break in the trial.

The accusation by Kim Myers provided a bizarre twist during the trial of the world-famous double-amputee Olympian, who is facing 25 years to life in prison if convicted of premeditated murder for shooting dead Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, at his home.

Pistorius denied the allegation that he said to Myers: "How can you sleep at night?"

Myers told her lawyer that she was approached by Pistorius and he made the remark to her in a "very sinister way," attorney Ian Levitt, the lawyer for Myers, told the Associated Press.

Levitt said Myers was "shocked" and did not know what it referred to. Levitt said Myers found it "extremely disturbing."

Reporters said Pistorius apparently made a comment to Myers as he walked close to the court benches reserved for family and friends of both Pistorius and Steenkamp.

Pistorius' lawyer, Brian Webber, said Pistorius also told him that the allegation regarding the remark was untrue.

Pistorius is known as the "Blade Runner" for his carbon-fiber prosthetic legs. In 2012, he became the first double-amputee to compete in the Olympics.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters, AP.

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