Oscar Pistorius’ Murder Case

“Blade runner” man and hero of the 2012 London Olympics Oscar Pistorius has recently been accused of premeditated murder in the killing of model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Early on Valentine’s Day morning, Pistorius fired four shots through the locked bathroom door in his home in South Africa, claiming he believed there was an intruder. As the story goes, the 26 year old double amputee was not aware that it was his girlfriend, not a stranger, he was attacking. He claims that he did not have time to put on his prosthetic legs, but the height of the bullet holes in the bathroom door lead some to believe he actually had them on. Three of the bullets hit Steenkamp, and “she died in my arms,” Pistorius stated.

The night preceding the incident was a quiet, calm one, says the accused Paralympian. The defense lawyers disagree, claiming Reeva Steenkamp locked herself in the bathroom as a result of a heated argument with her boyfriend.  Whether a cold-blooded murder or a terrible mistake, prosecutors and defense attorneys alike agree that Pistorius shot Steenkamp. His motive is still under debate, and has not yet been released.

To add yet another twist to this tale, the lead investigator for the case, Hilton Botha, has been charged with seven attempted murders as a result of an incident in which two other police officers along with Botha shot at a minivan during a car chase. The men say they were chasing a suspect for a murder case, and their charges were dropped until 10 days before Reeva Steenkamp’s death.

During a cross examination of the defense Botha admitted to the charges, and Barry Roux, a defense lawyer for the Pistorius case, believes this may complicate the trial – and possibly help his client’s case. The prosecution begs to differ, stating that Botha’s past is “completely unrelated” to the trial at hand.

Before being dismissed from and replaced in the case, Botha said that police found a bloody cricket bat and drugs at the scene of the crime. Pistorius claims he used to bat to break down the bathroom door, but at the time police had not yet ruled out the possibility that Pistorius beat Steenkamp to death. However since that time, that situation has been dismissed. In regards to the drugs found on the nightstand of the bedroom, police admitted that they were unknown. The drugs in question were supposedly testosterone, but the defense argues that they were actually herbal remedies (typically used for sexual enhancement).

As for his consequences, Pistorius was released on bail Friday February 22. Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair agreed to bail the athlete for one million rand ($113,000), despite disbeliefs of his truthfulness, questioning “Why would (he) venture further into danger?”

After a two-hour explanation Nair made his announcement, greeted by cheers from Oscar Pistorius and family.  “I come to the conclusion that the accused has made a case to be released on bail.” said the Chief Magistrate.

Until the official murder trial, to take place on June 4, Pistorius will not be allowed out of his district of Pretoria without granted permission from his probation officer, cannot consume drugs or alcohol, and must turn in any guns that he owns.