Sky News has published a series of leaked photographs from the crime scene at which Reeva Steenkamp was shot and killed by Oscar Pistorius.

Here’s more detail, from the Mail & Guardian:

The gory pictures released on Friday show a bloodied bathroom floor and the door that Pistorius shot FHM model Steenkamp through. The wooden door is missing a panel and has two bullet holes below the handle.

The athlete claimed that he tried to break through the door with a cricket bat upon realising that it was Steenkamp he had shot.

This is the first time the public has seen images of the infamous bathroom crime scene in Pistorius’s upmarket Silver Woods gated community home.

According to Sky News the pictures were obtained after allegations that police officers involved in the investigation were questioned following the disappearance of one of the runner’s watches from his house.

Pistorius’ legal team have indicated that they were not privy to the crime scene photographs prior to their publication by Sky News.

#OscarPistorius after speaking to the lawyer, it appears the public has seen the crime scene pics even before Oscar’s defence team. BB

— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) May 31, 2013

#OscarPistorius lawyers say they have sent letter to prosecutor Gerrie Nel demanding explanation for leak of crime scene photos @encanews

— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) May 31, 2013

It is unclear whether the pictures were shot on a mobile phone by an officer on the scene, or if they are official crime scene photographs. Meanwhile, swathes of Twitter users reacted with disgust to the publishing of the photographs, arguing that their publication was neither in good taste, or in the public interest.

CLICK IMAGE TO SEE PHOTOS ON SKYNEWS WEBSITE
WARNING – SOME READERS MIGHT FIND IMAGES DISTURBING 

In particular, EWN journalist, Barry Bateman has come in for heavy criticism for republishing the tweets to his Twitter feed.

Sky News. Proof that with a big enough budget, you can successfully troll a nation for months on end.

— Sipho Hlongwane (@comradesipho) May 31, 2013

and so the oscar pistorius circus starts again. all you excuse for journalists sharing these crime scene photos, you make me sick.

— Texx (@texxonfire) May 31, 2013

So @barrybateman it seems some people would like to know how you think it’s ok to distribute leaked crime scene photos. IS THIS JOURNALISM?

— Angie (@Stellllaaaaaaaa) May 31, 2013

[Source : M&G]