Pistorius murder trial postponed until August
Source: Agencies |
June 5, 2013, Wednesday
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A South African judge postponed the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius yesterday and criticized the media for sensationalist reporting of the Olympic and Paralympic athletics star's shooting of his girlfriend on Valentine's Day.
Pistorius, 26, remained composed throughout the 10-minute hearing at the Pretoria Magistrates Court when he made his first formal public appearance since his release on bail in February. He was driven away afterward in a sports utility vehicle with tinted windows.
The double amputee, nicknamed "Blade Runner" for his prosthetic racing legs, has admitted killing Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, by firing four shots through a locked toilet door on February 14 at his Pretoria home.
Dressed in a dark suit, shirt and tie, his only words in court were "Yes, Your Honor" when asked if he understood the bail conditions.
Judge Daniel Thulare postponed the case until August 19, which would have been Steenkamp's 30th birthday, after prosecutors asked for more time to prepare their case.
Thulare also took a swipe at domestic and international media coverage of the case, branding it "scandalizing, contemptuous actions."
He urged journalists to "preserve the sanctity of the fountains of justice."
In the most recent incident, Britain's Sky News broadcast photos said to have been taken inside Pistorius' home shortly after the shooting. The images showed blood-spattered walls and blood pools on the bathroom floor. Police said they were investigating the leak.
South Africa does not have trial by jury so pre-trial media coverage is seldom deemed to be prejudicial.
In testimony at the February bail hearing, his lawyers said the shooting was a tragic mistake and Pistorius was acting in self-defense against what he thought was an intruder.
Prosecutors accused him of premeditated murder for firing into the door, hitting Steenkamp in the head, hip and arm. Bail was set in February at 1 million rand (US$100,000).
The case has garnered enormous attention because of his remarkable life story and fall from grace. In South Africa, he was a hero, transcending the racial divides that persist 19 years after the end of apartheid.
In August last year, he carried the South African flag at the London Olympics, where he became the first double-amputee to compete against able-bodied athletes. He reached the semifinals of the 400 meters.
Six months later, he was weeping in court after being accused of murder.
Pistorius, 26, remained composed throughout the 10-minute hearing at the Pretoria Magistrates Court when he made his first formal public appearance since his release on bail in February. He was driven away afterward in a sports utility vehicle with tinted windows.
The double amputee, nicknamed "Blade Runner" for his prosthetic racing legs, has admitted killing Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, by firing four shots through a locked toilet door on February 14 at his Pretoria home.
Dressed in a dark suit, shirt and tie, his only words in court were "Yes, Your Honor" when asked if he understood the bail conditions.
Judge Daniel Thulare postponed the case until August 19, which would have been Steenkamp's 30th birthday, after prosecutors asked for more time to prepare their case.
Thulare also took a swipe at domestic and international media coverage of the case, branding it "scandalizing, contemptuous actions."
He urged journalists to "preserve the sanctity of the fountains of justice."
In the most recent incident, Britain's Sky News broadcast photos said to have been taken inside Pistorius' home shortly after the shooting. The images showed blood-spattered walls and blood pools on the bathroom floor. Police said they were investigating the leak.
South Africa does not have trial by jury so pre-trial media coverage is seldom deemed to be prejudicial.
In testimony at the February bail hearing, his lawyers said the shooting was a tragic mistake and Pistorius was acting in self-defense against what he thought was an intruder.
Prosecutors accused him of premeditated murder for firing into the door, hitting Steenkamp in the head, hip and arm. Bail was set in February at 1 million rand (US$100,000).
The case has garnered enormous attention because of his remarkable life story and fall from grace. In South Africa, he was a hero, transcending the racial divides that persist 19 years after the end of apartheid.
In August last year, he carried the South African flag at the London Olympics, where he became the first double-amputee to compete against able-bodied athletes. He reached the semifinals of the 400 meters.
Six months later, he was weeping in court after being accused of murder.
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