Oscar Pistorius arrives the court in Pretoria, South Africa
Oscar Pistorius has returned to court in South Africa, where he faces a charge of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
The pre-trial hearing in Pretoria lasted less than 20 minutes but the court room was packed with the paralympian's family, including his sister and brother, as well as journalists and photographers from around the world.
The 26-year-old, who says he shot Ms Steenkamp after mistaking her for an intruder, wore a black suit, a blue shirt and a tie as he arrived at the city's magistrates' court
Pistorius spoke only once, quietly, to confirm he understood the renewed conditions on which his bail was extended.
Ms Steenkamp, 29, was shot dead through a locked bathroom door at Pistorius' home in a secure compound on Valentine's Day this year.
Prosecutors claim he killed her intentionally, knowing she was behind the door when he fired four times with a 9mm pistol.
Alex Crawford said the hearing lasted "longer than expected because the magistrate took a few minutes to deliver a lecture to the media ... expressing great concern about some of the reporting around the case".
"He said he read the newspapers like everyone else in South Africa and he felt there was a certain degree of, in his words, 'trial by media'," she added.
Pistorius had only been seen in public twice since being freed on bail in February.
He was photographed on his practice track in March and reportedly visited a Johannesburg restaurant with friends in April.
The athlete must attend the next court hearing on August 19, by which time prosecutors hope to have completed their investigation.
The date would have been Ms Steenkamp's 30th birthday.
The pre-trial hearing came after the parents of the model spoke of their need for answers.
Pathetic story.
ReplyDeleteHe should be in jail if he killed her.