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Crime

Olympian Weeps in Court as Prosecutors Announce They’ll Seek a Premeditated Murder Charge in His Girlfriend’s Shooting Death

Feb. 15, 2013 7:26am Billy Hallowell

PRETORIA, South Africa (TheBlaze/AP) — Oscar Pistorius held his head in his hands and wept openly in court Friday as prosecutors said they would pursue a charge of premeditated murder against the Paralympic superstar. It was just one day earlier that news broke of Pistorius’ arrest following his girlfriend’s death, shocking fans across the globe.

Pistorius was formally charged at Pretoria Magistrate’s Court with one count of murder after his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, a model and budding reality TV show participant, was shot multiple times and killed at Pistorius’ upmarket home in the predawn hours of Thursday.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said Friday in court it was premeditated murder, indicating the prosecution would file that more serious charge, upgraded from murder.

The double-amputee athlete’s arrest and murder charge had already left South Africa stunned after the blonde-haired model’s shooting death at Pistorius’ house in a gated community in an eastern suburb of the South African capital, Pretoria.

Oscar Pistorius to Be Charged With Premeditated Murder in Death of Reeva Steenkamp

Oscar Pistorius, centre, is led from the Boschkop police station east of Pretoria, en route to court, Friday Feb. 15, 2012. Oscar Pistorius arrived at a courthouse Friday, for his bail hearing in the murder case of his girlfriend as South Africans braced themselves for the latest development in a story that has stunned the country. The Paralympic superstar was earlier seen leaving a police station in a dark suit with a charcoal gray jacket covering his head as he got into a police vehicle. Model Reeva Steenkamp was shot and killed at Pistorius’ upmarket home in an eastern suburb of the South African capital in the predawn hours of Thursday. Credit: AP

Those who knew Pistorius, including a former girlfriend, weight in on social media.

Trish Taylor, mother of Pistorius’ ex-girlfriend Samantha Taylor, wrote on Facebook: “I’m so glad Sammy is safe and out of the clutches of that man.”

But another ex-girlfriend, Jenna Edkins, defended the accused man Tuesday on Twitter.

“All I am saying is let him speak, let his side be heard without jumping to conclusions,” tweeted Jenna Edkins, an attractive, young blonde like all Pistorius’ girlfriends. She offered “love and support” to the Pistorius family and tweeted: “I have dated Oscar on and off for 5 YEARS, NOT ONCE has he EVER lifted a finger to me or made me fear for my life.”

I would just like to say , I have dated Oscar on off for 5 YEARS, NOT ONCE has he EVER lifted a finger to me , made me fear for my life..

February 15, 2013 7:37am via webReply RetweetFavorite

@JennaEdkins

Jenna Edkins

Prosecutors said Friday that they would argue the history-making Olympic athlete — the first amputee to run at the games — had planned Steenkamp’s killing. It sent South Africans reeling further as their national hero and a global role model for people in overcoming adversity was set to face accusations that he intentionally gunned down his girlfriend.

South Africa’s tabloid Citizen newspaper had the headline “Blade gunner?” Friday morning, playing on double-amputee athlete Pistorius’ well-known nickname of “Blade Runner” because of his carbon fiber running blades.

Pistorius stood with his face in his hands as he broke down in tears on his first appearance at the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court. Chief Magistrate Desmond Nasir delayed Pistorius’ bail hearing until next Tuesday and Wednesday and ruled that the 26-year-old Pistorius would be held at a police station in Pretoria until then. Police have said they oppose the granting of bail.

Athlete Oscar Pistorius weeps in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb 15, 2013, at his bail hearing in the murder case of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Oscar Pistorius arrived at a courthouse Friday, for his bail hearing in the murder case of his girlfriend as South Africans braced themselves for the latest development in a story that has stunned the country. The Paralympic superstar was earlier seen leaving a police station in a dark suit with a charcoal gray jacket covering his head as he got into a police vehicle. Model Reeva Steenkamp was shot and killed at Pistorius’ upmarket home in an eastern suburb of the South African capital in the predawn hours of Thursday. Credit: AP

Pistorius had solemnly entered the court wearing a gray suit and blue tie and initially appeared composed. When he broke down in tears, his brother, Carl, reached out a hand and placed it on his shoulder. Pistorius’ father, Henke, was in the court as was sister Aimee.

The hot courtroom that was jammed with more than 100 people, including numerous local and international journalists. More than 100 people packed into Courtroom C at the courthouse, including dozens of photographers and videographers but Nasir ruled that no recordings of court proceedings would be allowed in the case.

Police said Friday an autopsy on the body of the victim was also taking place. Lt. Col. Katlego Mogale said the results of the autopsy would not be published.

Pistorius earlier left a police station, his jacket completely covering his head as he got into a police vehicle. He was holding what appeared to be a white handkerchief in one hand as he was led by officers to a police van outside the Boschkop Police Station in eastern Pretoria, where he had been questioned on Thursday and had spent the night in custody.

ALTERNATIVE CROP A picture taken on January 26, 2013 shows Olympian sprinter Oscar Pistorius posing next to his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg. South Africa’s Olympic sprinter Oscar ‘Blade Runner’ Pistorius was taken into police custody on February 14, 2013, after allegedly shooting dead his model girlfriend having mistaken her for an intruder at his upscale home. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

A policeman was also seen carrying a handgun in a plastic forensic bag outside the Boschkop station. It was believed to be the weapon used to shoot and kill Steenkamp.

Police said the victim was shot four times at Pistorius’ villa in a gated community. Officers found a 9 mm pistol inside the home.

Pistorius made history at the London Olympics last year when he became the first double-amputee track athlete to compete at any games. He didn’t win a medal but did make the semifinals of the 400 meters and the final of the 4X400 relay, propelling the world’s best-known Paralympian to the level of an international track star and one of the world’s best-known sportsmen.

But police hinted at a troubled lifestyle away from public scrutiny for the runner Thursday when they said there had previously been domestic incidents at Pistorius’ home.

–

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Comments (14)

OlderCowGirl
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 9:36pm
I read that this girlfriend was planning a surprise-something for him. Maybe she might have been trying to sneak in…to surprise him. Remind me to tell my husband to never surprise me like that.

One thing I hadn’t thought of until a former commenter (above) mentioned: he would have to take off his “blades” for sleeping. Can you imagine this guy with no feet/lower legs thinking a robber/whatever catching him off guard with no feet? I think I’d panic too.

However…I’ve made it a rule to never shoot unless I can see who I’m shooting at…and they have to be breaking down my door, first. If they have a mask on…too bad…then I’d shoot. None of my friends, neighbors, or family would wear a mask.

I learned while deer hunting that you must actually see the deer before shooting…not just hear it.

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LakeHartwellSailor
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 4:35pm
According to what I have heard, when he was arrested he said, “I feel like half the man I used to be”;

However, he still has a “spring in his step” because he thinks he can beat the rap. Personally, I think

he’s going to loose, because his case doesn’t have a leg to stand on.

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Southerner01
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 1:56pm
Well, clearly what South Africa needs is strict gun laws. Oh yeah, they HAVE strict gun laws, aproval for a license can take years and requires a competency test and background check.

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RaydocX
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 10:11am
i am interested that the authorities are pushing pre-meditation.
US DA’s have overreached, such as in Casey Anthony and Robert Blake, off the top of my head… OJ and the foreign Au Pare also.
but i have no idea of South Africa’s legal system or jury selection process.
hearing the whole story, rather than just what has been reported by one side would seem prudent.

wonder if his trial will mimic Jodi Arias… was he abused and felt he had to concoct an alternative explanation to abuse. While they have overreached in other cases, i suspect Ms. Arias proverbial goose is cooked. And barring some amazing fact that the prosecution wants to overlook, on the face of it it would seem this sports hero is too.

MSM cannot pay it too much attention, though, it is not American gun violence, and defeats the paradigm the administration is pushing that it’s just here that people kill people with firearms.

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calebgs83
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 10:09am
I believe this was simply a horrible tragedy. He was woken up in the middle of the night by what he thought was a home intruder, not to mention, he woke up without legs because he took them off before he went to bed. South Africa is a very dangerous place. I had friends in high school who told me it was so bad that unidentified people on your property after dark were shot, no questions asked.

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- objectivetruth
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 10:25am
  If she had just moved in it might be plausable.If they lived together awhile I doubt it.You adjust to someone else being there.You aren’t going to just randomly shoot knife bludgeon garrot exc.If she came in in the middle of the night she would or should have made some noise to identify herself.I do agree with you though something doesn’t ring with this.There is more to it than they are releasing.,
  
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- sligresda
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 11:45am
  yeah, because home intruders often lock themselves in bathrooms when confronted. wth cale?
  
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CalRes
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 9:56am
Why is this news I really dont care about the drama in the lives of our own athleyes let alone a south african. Try him and move on.

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MCON29
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 9:35am
Poor little tink tink.

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AZgirl9000
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 8:21am
I’m going to have to think about it the next time a guy asks me, “Honey, would you mind going out and picking up the newspaper off the driveway for me?”

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Gonzo
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 7:39am
“Prosecutors said Friday that they would argue the history-making Olympic athlete — the first amputee to run at the games — had planned Steenkamp’s killing.”
He didn’t plan very well if he wanted to get away with it. I’ll be interested in hearing more about this as the story is fleshed out.

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- SacredHonor1776
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 7:52am
  I wonder if the Olympic Commitee will withdraw his medal for his associations with criminal activity?
  
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- Gonzo
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 7:58am
  I don’t think he won an Olympic medal, only Paralympic. Perhaps he should have tried a shooting sport instead?
  
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- SacredHonor1776
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 8:12am
  Well, you are right!
  
  Dark humor, LOL.
  
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