Longtime Pistorius friend now sketching Olympian's murder trial | Forensic Files

my name is Yakov ferin I'm a courtroom artist sketching the Oscar Pistorius case I'm a personal friend of Oscar for
the last 10 years we've met uh at University of Petoria uh track and field Club where he was a Youngster I can
vividly remember when he had his first fall and he fell and he just got up and ran further and kept on going until he
was this International athlete we met in court he first at first didn't know I was there it was full of media
right in front of him so he just kept looking down and from time to time looked up and at a certain stage when
everything was quiet I had to stand up right in the corner um to draw the judge and he saw somebody rising and he saw it
was me we made eye contact and he realized that I was a courtroom artist and and his um head just fell into his
hands and he went down I had to push through because I have to separate yourself emotionally from from your
profession for both of us it was it was a very difficult time I think that first
day our relationship right now is is is um we thought it will be more awkward but uh it's
actually 100% the same as that it was on on the track every time he has got a break he comes and sit next to me
because uh we don't talk about the case this is the biggest fight of his life Oscar is the toughest person that I do
know with everything he has endured in his life people out there must know he's probably the toughest person that that
anybody will know

Jaco Van Vuuren, a friend of Oscar Pistorius for more that 10 years on the running track, surprised the Olympic star at his murder trial with a hidden talent: courtroom sketching.

Brief Summary

Yakov Ferin shares his experiences as a courtroom artist for Oscar Pistorius's trial and their friendship over the years.

Key points

Yakov's Connection to Oscar. Yakov Ferin shares his deep personal connection with Oscar Pistorius, having known him for a decade.
Emotional Courtroom Encounter. During the trial, Oscar recognizes Yakov, leading to a poignant moment of eye contact.
Oscar's Resilience. Yakov describes Oscar as incredibly tough, highlighting his strength in facing adversity.

Episode highlights

Emotional Courtroom EncounterDuring the trial, Oscar recognizes Yakov, leading to a poignant moment of eye contact.“His head just fell into his hands and he went down.”0:57Jun 13, 2014

Episode quotes

This is the biggest fight of his life.

Yakov reflects on Oscar's struggle during the trial.

1:30WatchJun 13, 2014

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