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Prosecutor Says Pistorius Shot Woman Four Times Through Closed Door Prosecutor Says Pistorius Shot Woman Four Times Through Closed Door
(35 minutes later)
PRETORIA, South Africa — Prosecutors accused Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee track star, of premeditated murder on Tuesday, saying he opened fire four times on his girlfriend through a closed bathroom door after putting on his prosthetic legs and walking more than 20 feet from a bedroom. PRETORIA, South Africa — Prosecutors accused Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee track star and one of the world’s best-known athletes, of premeditated murder on Tuesday, saying he opened fire four times on his girlfriend through a locked bathroom door after putting on his prosthetic legs and walking more than 20 feet from a bedroom.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said Reeva Steenkamp, the victim, had been in a tiny room measuring roughly 16 square feet. “It must have been horrific,” he said. It was the first time that prosecutors began to lay out details of their accusations since the case exploded into public view last Thursday when the police arrived at Mr. Pistorius’s house in a gated community in Pretoria to find Reeva Steenkamp dead from gunshot wounds.
But a lawyer acting for Mr. Pistorius, Barry Roux, said the defense would “submit that this is not a murder.” He said there was no evidence that Mr. Pistorius, 26, and Ms. Steenkamp, 29, had fought and there was no evidence of a motive. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said Ms. Steenkamp had been in a tiny room measuring roughly 16 square feet. “She could not go anywhere,” he said. “It must have been horrific.”
Mr. Pistorius returned to a Pretoria courtroom on Tuesday to seek bail — a step police officials have said they will oppose. It was his second appearance before the same court. “She locked the door for a purpose. We will get to that purpose,” he said.
Ms. Steenkamp’s funeral was scheduled for later on Tuesday in the southern coastal city of Port Elizabeth, her hometown. But a lawyer acting for Mr. Pistorius, Barry Roux, said the defense would “submit that this is not a murder.” He said there was no evidence that Mr. Pistorius, 26, and Ms. Steenkamp, 29, had fought and there was no evidence of a motive. He also challenged the prosecution to produce a witness to corroborate its version of Mr. Pistorius’s actions.
The police arrived at Mr. Pistorius’s house in a gated community in Pretoria early last Thursday to find Ms. Steenkamp dead from gunshot wounds. Mr. Pistorius, who ran on carbon-fiber blades that earned him the nickname of Blade Runner, has disputed the charge against him. “Scratch the veneer” of the prosecution case, he said, and there was no evidence to support it.
Early news reports in South Africa said that Mr. Pistorius, a gun enthusiast, had accidentally shot his girlfriend, thinking she was an intruder. But those suggestions gave way to grim police accounts of previous law enforcement complaints about domestic episodes at his home and the charge of premeditated murder. Mr. Pistorius appeared in the Pretoria courtroom on Tuesday to seek bail — a step police officials have said they will oppose. Mr. Pistorius looked grim-faced, his jaw set, as he arrived in court. But, as he did during his first appearance in court on Friday, he wept when the prosecutor said he had “killed an innocent woman.”
Ms. Steenkamp’s funeral was scheduled for later on Tuesday in the southern coastal city of Port Elizabeth, her hometown. Initial news reports in South Africa said that Mr. Pistorius, who ran on carbon-fiber blades that earned him the nickname of Blade Runner, had accidentally shot his girlfriend, thinking she was an intruder. But those suggestions gave way to grim police accounts of previous law enforcement complaints about domestic episodes at his home and the charge of premeditated murder.
The development stunned a nation that had elevated Mr. Pistorius as an emblem of the ability to overcome acute adversity and a symbol of South Africa’s ability to project its achievements onto the world stage.The development stunned a nation that had elevated Mr. Pistorius as an emblem of the ability to overcome acute adversity and a symbol of South Africa’s ability to project its achievements onto the world stage.
During his first court appearance on Friday, Mr. Pistorius did not enter a formal plea. But a statement released by his agent said that he disputed the charge of premeditated murder “in the strongest terms” and that “our thoughts and prayers today should be” for Ms. Steenkamp, and her family, “regardless of the circumstances of this terrible, terrible tragedy.”During his first court appearance on Friday, Mr. Pistorius did not enter a formal plea. But a statement released by his agent said that he disputed the charge of premeditated murder “in the strongest terms” and that “our thoughts and prayers today should be” for Ms. Steenkamp, and her family, “regardless of the circumstances of this terrible, terrible tragedy.”
If convicted, Mr. Pistorius would face a mandatory life sentence, though under South African law he would be eligible for parole in 25 years at the latest. South Africa abolished the death penalty in 1995.If convicted, Mr. Pistorius would face a mandatory life sentence, though under South African law he would be eligible for parole in 25 years at the latest. South Africa abolished the death penalty in 1995.
Mr. Pistorius was born without fibula bones and both of his legs were amputated below the knee as an infant. But he became a Paralympic champion and became the first Paralympic sprinter to compete against able-bodied athletes at the 2012 London Olympics.Mr. Pistorius was born without fibula bones and both of his legs were amputated below the knee as an infant. But he became a Paralympic champion and became the first Paralympic sprinter to compete against able-bodied athletes at the 2012 London Olympics.
His triumphs made him a global track star but the case has forced him with cancel forthcoming events. Several companies have withdrawn lucrative sponsorships and his case has played into an emotional debate in South Africa about violence against women. His triumphs made him a global track star. Several companies have withdrawn lucrative sponsorships and his case has played into an emotional debate in South Africa about violence against women.
Members of the Women’s League of the ruling African National Congress protested outside the building, waving placards saying: “No Bail for Pistorius,” Reuters reported.Members of the Women’s League of the ruling African National Congress protested outside the building, waving placards saying: “No Bail for Pistorius,” Reuters reported.

Lydia Polgreen reported from Pretoria, South Africa, and Alan Cowell from London.

Lydia Polgreen reported from Pretoria, South Africa, and Alan Cowell from London.