Oscar Pistorius sobbed uncontrollably in a Pretoria courtroom Tuesday as prosecutors described how they say he murdered his girlfriend in his own home.
The state said the killing was premeditated: Pistorius armed himself and attached his prosthetic legs before shooting at his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, who had come to spend the night, prosecutors said.
Pistorius fired four times, prosecutors said; Steenkamp was struck thrice while she was in a bathroom;
He "shot and killed an innocent woman," Gerrie Nel, the senior state prosecutor said.
As Nel spoke, Pistorius buried his face in his hands.
The global sports hero, known as the "Blade Runner," was in court for a bail hearing Tuesday. The last time the world saw images of Pistorius was when he was initially charged Friday, when the track star crumbled upon hearing the word "murder."
The courtroom scenes are a far cry from the packed stadiums that erupted in applause for the double-amputee who dared to compete against men with legs.
Police have released little about a possible motive in the Valentine's Day shooting of his girlfriend. Early on, local media suggested Pistorius had mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder.
South African authorities have stressed that the scenario did not come from them, and said there was no evidence of forced entry at the home.
On Tuesday, the prosecution asked why a burglar would lock oneself in a bathroom.
Items found in Pistorius' home suggest Steenkamp intended to stay the night. She had an overnight bag and her iPad, a South African official familiar with a case said Monday.
The 29-year-old model was alive after she was shot, and Pistorius carried her wounded body downstairs, said the official, who was not authorized to release details to the media.
Police were alerted to the shooting by neighbors, and residents had "heard things earlier," spokeswoman Denise Beukes said.
A police spokeswoman said there had been "previous incidents" at the home, including "allegations of a domestic nature." They did not detail what those may been.
Detectives are investigating a blood-stained cricket bat in the home, Johannesburg's City Press newspaper reported, and are trying to determine whether it was used to attack Steenkamp, if she used the bat in self-defense, or if Pistorius used it to try to break down the bathroom door.
Pistorius, 26, has rejected the murder allegation "in the strongest terms," his agent said in a statement.
His defense attorney argued Tuesday that the incident was not premeditated, and that Pistorius has no prior convictions.
As the drama in court unfolds, friends and family will mourn Steenkamp at a private funeral service in her hometown of Port Elizabeth.
On Sunday, South Africans heard Steenkamp's voice one last time after her death, when the national broadcaster aired a pre-recorded reality TV show featuring the model discussing her exit from "Tropika Island of Treasure," on which local celebrities compete for prize money.
"I'm going to miss you all so much and I love you very, very much," she said, blowing a kiss to the camera.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Mahama decouples Youth and Sports Ministry, to create Sports and Recreation Ministry
5 minutes -
Mahama’s open endorsement of Bagbin needless – Rabi Salifu
35 minutes -
Police station torched as Ejura youth clash with officers
37 minutes -
If Ibrahim Traoré goes civilian, it may be because of Mahama’s inauguration – Prof Abotsi
1 hour -
Kwaku Asare welcomes Mahama’s reduction in Ministries but advocates legislative process to cement it
2 hours -
I’m concerned about failure to implement AWW report – Prof Abotsi
2 hours -
US returns $50m in alleged stolen funds to Nigeria
2 hours -
Mahama restructures Ministries, reduced from 30 to 23 – See full list
2 hours -
2 siblings die after being locked in water drum by 6-year-old sister
3 hours -
Mahama shouldn’t have openly directed Parliament to elect Speaker – Prof. Kwaku Asare
3 hours -
Daily Insight for CEOs: The power of delegation – Empowering leaders within your organization
3 hours -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses inaugurations, prisoner pardon and failed CJ petition
4 hours -
Revisiting the forensic audit of EC will increase credibility of future elections – Omane Boamah
6 hours -
Africa Food Systems Parliamentary Network urges governments to increase investment in agriculture
13 hours -
AU and partners urge youth to get involved in efforts to transform continent’s food systems
13 hours