Oscar Pistorius charged with murder after shooting girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

February 14, 2013 10:13PM

SOUTH Africa's Paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend after model Reeva Steenkamp was shot inside the Olympic athlete's home in South Africa.

Police said a 26-year-old male would appear in court later tonight.

Police in South Africa do not name suspects in crimes until they have appeared in court but police spokesperson Brigadier Denise Beukes said that Pistorius was at his home after the death of Steenkamp and "there is no other suspect involved".

Beukes said the suspect was undergoing blood alcohol and forensic tests and had made a request to be brought to court immediately.

Stating that earlier reports that the victim was mistaken for an intruder "did not come from us" police spokeswoman Denise Beukes said "there's previously been incidents of allegations of domestic disputes at the home of the accused".

"The state will be opposing bail," she added.

VIDEO: Pistorius arrested

The athlete known as the “Blade Runner” was arrested early today following the shooting at his home in an upscale area near the South African capital of Pretoria.

Police spokesman Katlego Mogale said a “26-year-old man had been taken into custody for shooting a 30-year-old woman”.

Pistorius' father Henke later confirmed the athlete was in custody.

"I haven't seen him, he is with the police and the matter is in the hands of the authorities," said Henke Pistorius. "Obviously we are shocked."

“The deceased was shot four times and died on the scene. It is believed that she was the girlfriend of the accused,” said Mogale.

Officers found a 9-mm pistol at the scene.

The shooting took place in a house inside an upmarket security compound in Silverlakes, outside Pretoria, he said. Pistorius lives in the compound.

The “Blade Runner” made history in 2012 when he became the first amputee to compete in the Olympics.

He won gold in the 4x400m relay at the Paralympic Games.

He had both legs amputated below the knee before the age of one, because of a congenital condition, and runs on carbon fibre blades.

Last year Time Magazine named him as one of the world's 100 most influential people.

The Johannesburg-born runner had both legs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old after being born without lower leg bones. But he played sports unhindered while growing up, switching to running after fracturing a knee playing rugby.

At high school, he was so good that his personal fitness coach said she was unaware for six months that he ran on prosthetic legs.

But he was initially banned from competing in the Olympics in Beijing by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on the grounds that his blades gave him an unfair advantage.

That decision was later overturned on appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), although he ultimately failed to meet the Olympic qualifying standard time.

He went on to win a silver medal as part of the 4x400m relay team at the 2011 World Championships in South Korean city of Daegu before representing his country at the London Olympics and Paralympics last year.

Off the track, Pistorius is an adrenalin junkie, with a love of speed reflected in a passion for motorbikes.

Four years ago he crashed his boat in a river south of Johannesburg, breaking two ribs, an eye socket and his jaw.

He also once owned two white tigers but sold them to a zoo in Canada when they became too big.

AFP


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/oscar-pistorius-shoots-dead-girlfriend-reports-say/story-e6frg6so-1226578178739

Someone who used to inspire me a lot. Used to.

It's amazing that you've got no idea the circumstances and have only heard media allegations, but you've turned on him already. Obviously he didn't inspire you as much as you think.

But, it was the socially acceptable thing to say, wasn't it?

Court case will be relatively straightforward, his case doesn't have a leg to stand on.

The news broke barely a matter of hours ago. It's too early to be making those assertions.

You do realise it was a joke right?

:oops: I don't know how I missed that. I think I was too dumbfounded at Benjo's comment still.

Court case will be relatively straightforward, his case doesn't have a leg to stand on.

Oh dear.

New evidence has been found outside the Pistorious home that completely acquits him of his girlfriend's murder.

Footprints.

Oscar Pistorius weeps as court hears murder charge



South African Olympic and Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius wept in court as prosecutors said they would pursue a "premeditated murder" charge over the death of his girlfriend.

Model Reeva Steenkamp was shot dead at his home near Pretoria on Thursday.

Mr Pistorius held his head in his hands and broke down in tears as the charge was read out in the magistrates' court.

An application for bail was postponed until next Tuesday and Mr Pistorius, 26, will remain in police custody.

Family members reached forward to touch his shoulder as he stood and left the courtroom in Pretoria.

Dozens of reporters were also in court, where chief magistrate Desmond Nair was presiding.


The BBC's Andrew Harding, in court, says the defendant cut a lonely figure, holding his head forward and breathing heavily through tears.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel argued for a "premeditated murder" charge. Mr Pistorius slumped forward at the mention of the words.

Media access was discussed and the magistrate ruled that there should be no live recording for the bail hearings.

Mr Pistorius's team had argued against such coverage and cited his "extremely traumatised state of mind".

Both prosecution and defence agreed Mr Pistorius could remain in custody at a police station and not in prison.

Members of Mr Pistorius's family, including sister Aimee, brother Carl and father Henke, were in the courtroom.

Mr Pistorius had earlier arrived at court in the back of a police vehicle, hiding his face with a jacket and notebook.

Forensic experts are expected to continue examining the house in the upmarket Silver Woods gated community on the outskirts of South Africa's administrative capital where Ms Steenkamp, 29, died.

Correspondents say the athlete's arrest has stunned the country where he is considered a national hero.

He made history in London last year when he became the first double-amputee track athlete to compete in the Olympic Games.


He is known as the "blade runner" because of the carbon fibre prosthetic blades he races in. He was born without a fibula in both legs and had his legs amputated below the knee before his first birthday.

Police were called to his home in the early hours of Thursday morning.

They found paramedics treating a 29-year-old woman with four gunshot wounds to the head and upper body. She died at the scene, and officers recovered a 9mm pistol.

A post-mortem examination is being carried out on Friday but the results will not be made public, police said.

Mr Pistorius and Ms Steenkamp had reportedly been dating since November.

Mr Pistorius dominated in his category at successive Paralympic Games, but in 2008 he won a legal battle over his blades - which critics said gave him an unfair advantage - with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for the right to compete in able-bodied competitions.

He reached the 400m semi-finals in the London 2012 Olympics. At the Paralympics he won silver in the T44 200m, gold in the 4x100 relay and gold in the T44 400m, setting a Paralympic record.

South Africa has one of the highest rates of crime in the world and many residents keep weapons to protect themselves against intruders.

But gun ownership is strictly regulated and it is not easy to obtain a licence.
map


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21467359

They must have a pretty open and shut case if they're playing for premeditation.

Apparently he attacked her with a cricket bat and shot her in the hip, she locked herself in the bathroom and he shot her through the door.

:lol:
Is that from that 'Simpsons artist' bloke from facebook?

I got it from the great minds over at 4chan