After being freed on bail in February, it was first time for Oscar Pistorius to return to court this Tuesday for a hearing; the hearing lasted less than 20 minutes.
Pistorius, double amputee Olympian, was previously charged with premeditated murder for shooting his girlfriend, South African model Reeva Steenkamp, multiple times in execution style on 2013 Valentines Day. In the first hearing, Pistorius denied the claim that he planned the murder. Pistorius voiced out that it was an unfortunate accident, and he thought there was a burglar in his house. His defense attorneys claimed Pistorius’ action was out of self-protection. However, his girlfriend was in Pistorius’ bathroom with closed door, so the prosecutors affirmed that it did not make sense to feel threatened when the bathroom door was closed and to shoot 4 times.
Reeva Steenkamp was found huddled behind the bathroom door in pool of her own blood.
The murder victim Steenkamp’s family members told press that Reeva Steenkamp told her family members she had been fighting with Pistorius a lot. This allegation gave prosecutors gave confirmation that Pistorius premeditated the murder.
After released on bail, Pistorius’ family members told press that he was grieving for Steenkamp and isolating himself.
In the hearing, prosecutors requested the murder case trial to be postponed until August 19. The request was accepted by the defense lawyers and the judge.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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