Court breaks ahead of Pistorius bail decision
- 11 years ago
The court hearing the arguments for and against the granting of bail for Oscar Pistorius on Friday broke up for lunch, hours ahead of the judge's decision.
A South African judge will rule on whether to grant bail to "Blade Runner" Pistorius, with prosecutors arguing he is a "cold-blooded killer" and his lawyers saying he is far too famous to pose any sort of flight risk.
Magistrate Desmond Nair told the packed Pretoria court he would release his decision after 1200 GMT, following a week of dramatic testimony recounting how the global sports star shot dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his luxury home in the early hours of February 14 - Valentine's Day.
Pistorius' defence team say the killing was a tragic mistake and he deserves bail to prepare for a case that has drawn world-wide attention.
Prosecutors said Pistorius committed premeditated murder when he fired four shots into a bathroom door, hitting his girlfriend cowering on the other side. Steenkamp suffered gunshot wounds to her head, hip and arm.
Police pulled their lead detective off the case on Thursday after it was revealed he himself faces attempted murder charges for shooting at a minibus. He has been replaced by South Africa's top detective Lieutenant General Vinesh Moonoo.
A South African judge will rule on whether to grant bail to "Blade Runner" Pistorius, with prosecutors arguing he is a "cold-blooded killer" and his lawyers saying he is far too famous to pose any sort of flight risk.
Magistrate Desmond Nair told the packed Pretoria court he would release his decision after 1200 GMT, following a week of dramatic testimony recounting how the global sports star shot dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his luxury home in the early hours of February 14 - Valentine's Day.
Pistorius' defence team say the killing was a tragic mistake and he deserves bail to prepare for a case that has drawn world-wide attention.
Prosecutors said Pistorius committed premeditated murder when he fired four shots into a bathroom door, hitting his girlfriend cowering on the other side. Steenkamp suffered gunshot wounds to her head, hip and arm.
Police pulled their lead detective off the case on Thursday after it was revealed he himself faces attempted murder charges for shooting at a minibus. He has been replaced by South Africa's top detective Lieutenant General Vinesh Moonoo.