Oscar Pistorius on trial for the Death of his Girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp

The famous South African track start Oscar Pistorius is standing trial for the death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The prosecutors are claiming that he murdered her premeditatively, while the defense is claiming that it was an accident, and that Pistorius thought that she was a home intruder taking cover in his bathroom. Pistorius fired 4 shots through the door, 3 of which struck Steenkamp, mortally wounding her. Prosecutor Gerrie Nei is claiming that Pistorius planned this murder and put on his prosthetic legs and went to the bathroom and shot at her, while the defense is arguing that there is no evidence to support the prosecutor’s claims. The chief magistrate of the hearing, Desmond Nair, has charged Pistorius with premeditated murder, which hinders Pistorius’s ability to get bail. The defense is fighting to get bail, promising the court that he would not attempt to flee the country.  Bail is property or money given as surety that a person released from custody will return at an appointed time.

Pistorius, in a statement given by his lawyer, claimed that the death of his girlfriend happened because it was the middle of the night, and he thought that there was an intruder in his house. He was not wearing his prosthetic legs, and felt vulnerable in the dark, so he did not turn on any lights. He then claimed to pull his 9mm pistol from under his bed, approached the bathroom, and fired 4 rounds into the door. Pistorius then stated that he called for his girlfriend, Steenkamp, and then realized that a terrible accident may have just taken place. He then said that he broke down the bathroom door, and took the fatally wounded Steenkamp and brought her downstairs for help.

The prosecution is making the claim that Pistorius put on his prosthetic legs, walked to the bathroom, and intentionally shot Steenkamp through the door, killing her. The defense, in response, is saying that there was no evidence to say that Pistorius put on his prosthetic legs prior to the shooting. They are claiming that these are false assumptions.

“I tried to render the assistance to Reeva that I could, but she died in my arms,” Pistorius said in his statement, “I am absolutely mortified by the events and the devastating loss of my beloved Reeva.”

Pistorius was well known for his participation in both the Olympic and Paralympic games for South Africa. He made history in London this past summer for being the first double amputee to compete in track and field events. He made it to the 400 meter semi finals.

Reeva Steenkamp graduated from law school, who also had a career in modeling. She was twenty-nine years old.

Sources: 
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/02/19/blade-runner-pistorius-appears-in-court-for-bail-hearing-in-alleged-murder/
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/19/world/africa/south-africa-pistorius-case/index.html?hpt=wo_c1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21502541