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Oscar Pistorius bail hearing prosecutors to make case | Oscar Pistorius bail hearing prosecutors to make case |
(about 1 hour later) | |
South African prosecutors are set to detail their murder case against athlete Oscar Pistorius, on the second day of his bail hearing in Pretoria. | South African prosecutors are set to detail their murder case against athlete Oscar Pistorius, on the second day of his bail hearing in Pretoria. |
They are expected to highlight reports that neighbours had heard loud arguments in his home before he shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. | They are expected to highlight reports that neighbours had heard loud arguments in his home before he shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. |
On Tuesday Mr Pistorius told the court he shot her through a bathroom door after mistaking her for an intruder. | On Tuesday Mr Pistorius told the court he shot her through a bathroom door after mistaking her for an intruder. |
A full trial of the Paralympic star, 26, is not expected for months. | A full trial of the Paralympic star, 26, is not expected for months. |
Mr Pistorius arrived at the court building on Wednesday morning in a police car with a blue blanket covering his head. | |
He is accused of premeditated murder. | He is accused of premeditated murder. |
The defence will have to prove the exceptional circumstances that would justify granting bail, the BBC's Andrew Harding in Pretoria says. | The defence will have to prove the exceptional circumstances that would justify granting bail, the BBC's Andrew Harding in Pretoria says. |
On Tuesday Mr Pistorius told the bail hearing that he loved Reeva Steenkamp and had never intended to kill her. | On Tuesday Mr Pistorius told the bail hearing that he loved Reeva Steenkamp and had never intended to kill her. |
In a statement read to the court, Mr Pistorius - who is a double amputee - said he woke in the middle of the night and thought he heard an intruder in his bathroom. | In a statement read to the court, Mr Pistorius - who is a double amputee - said he woke in the middle of the night and thought he heard an intruder in his bathroom. |
In pitch darkness, he said he took a pistol from beneath his bed. After screaming for the intruder to leave, he said he fired four shots through the door. | In pitch darkness, he said he took a pistol from beneath his bed. After screaming for the intruder to leave, he said he fired four shots through the door. |
Only after shooting did he realise Ms Steenkamp was not still in his bed, the statement said. He broke down the bathroom door and discovered her body. | Only after shooting did he realise Ms Steenkamp was not still in his bed, the statement said. He broke down the bathroom door and discovered her body. |
"She died in my arms," the statement said. "I am absolutely mortified at the death of my beloved Reeva". | "She died in my arms," the statement said. "I am absolutely mortified at the death of my beloved Reeva". |
Oscar Pistorius wept as his affidavit was read out in court. | Oscar Pistorius wept as his affidavit was read out in court. |
'Pre-planning' | 'Pre-planning' |
But his account was disputed by the prosecution, who said the couple may have argued before the shooting. | But his account was disputed by the prosecution, who said the couple may have argued before the shooting. |
"There is no possible explanation to support his report that he thought it was a burglar," prosecutors said. | "There is no possible explanation to support his report that he thought it was a burglar," prosecutors said. |
"It was all part of the pre-planning. Why would a burglar lock himself inside the bathroom?" prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court. | "It was all part of the pre-planning. Why would a burglar lock himself inside the bathroom?" prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court. |
The first day of the bail hearing coincided with Reeva Steenkamp's funeral. | The first day of the bail hearing coincided with Reeva Steenkamp's funeral. |
The 29-year-old model and law graduate was cremated in her home town of Port Elizabeth. | The 29-year-old model and law graduate was cremated in her home town of Port Elizabeth. |
Her father, Barry Steenkamp, told reporters: "We have to keep Reeva in our hearts forever." | Her father, Barry Steenkamp, told reporters: "We have to keep Reeva in our hearts forever." |
The case has aroused huge interest both in South Africa, where Oscar Pistorius is regarded as a national hero, and around the world. | The case has aroused huge interest both in South Africa, where Oscar Pistorius is regarded as a national hero, and around the world. |
He is a multiple Paralympic champion, winning gold medals at the 2004 Games in Athens, at Beijing 2008 and at London 2012. | He is a multiple Paralympic champion, winning gold medals at the 2004 Games in Athens, at Beijing 2008 and at London 2012. |
In London he made history by becoming the first double amputee to run in the Olympics, progressing to the semi-finals of the 400m. | In London he made history by becoming the first double amputee to run in the Olympics, progressing to the semi-finals of the 400m. |