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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.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 extenuating 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.
Two days were set aside for this bail hearing, but it now looks as though it might not be completed until the end of the week, says the BBC's Peter Biles outside 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.