Pistorius pleads not guilty to murder as trial starts
- 10 years ago
The trial of South African "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius began on Monday in Pretoria.
The 27-year-old sports icon is accused of shooting dead his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day last year.
Pistorius, who was born without legs but ran in the Olympics on carbon-fiber "blades", says the shooting was a tragic accident.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PROSECUTOR, GERRIE NEL, SAYING:
"On or about 14 February 2013, and at or near 286 Bushwillow Street Silverwoods, Country Estate Silverlakes, in the district of Pretoria the accused did unlawfully and intentionally kill a person, to wit, Reeva Steenkamp. "
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JUDGE THOKOZILE MASIPA, SAYING:
"How do you plead?"
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ACCUSED, OSCAR PISTORIUS, SAYING:
"Not guilty, my lady."
If convicted, the popular Olympian faces a life sentence.
His trial is expected to last at least three weeks but with over 100 witnesses on both sides it could last much
The 27-year-old sports icon is accused of shooting dead his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day last year.
Pistorius, who was born without legs but ran in the Olympics on carbon-fiber "blades", says the shooting was a tragic accident.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PROSECUTOR, GERRIE NEL, SAYING:
"On or about 14 February 2013, and at or near 286 Bushwillow Street Silverwoods, Country Estate Silverlakes, in the district of Pretoria the accused did unlawfully and intentionally kill a person, to wit, Reeva Steenkamp. "
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JUDGE THOKOZILE MASIPA, SAYING:
"How do you plead?"
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ACCUSED, OSCAR PISTORIUS, SAYING:
"Not guilty, my lady."
If convicted, the popular Olympian faces a life sentence.
His trial is expected to last at least three weeks but with over 100 witnesses on both sides it could last much