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Prosecutors Say Oscar Pistorius Fatally Shot Girlfriend Through Bathroom Door
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 19, 2013
Modified Feb 19, 2013
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By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 19, 2013
Modified Feb 19, 2013
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South African prosecutors yesterday outlined their case against Olympic athlete and Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Prosecutors say that the 26-year-old committed premeditated murder—"There is no doubt"—but Pistorius insisted that he feared an intruder had breached his home in Pretoria, "I'm acutely aware of people gaining entries to homes to commit crime, I've received death threats."
In a court hearing, Pistorius said the evening before the shooting they had been out separately with their friends. From the Mail and Guardian:
"She wanted to stay at home. I was watching TV. My legs were off. She was doing yoga. At the end of the evening we got into bed. I'm acutely aware of people gaining entries to homes to commit crime, I've received death threats. I sleep with my 9mm under my bed. I woke up to close the sliding door and heard a noise in the bathroom."
Pistorius, a double amputee who runs on carbon fibre blades, said he had mobility on stumps, and could walk on them. "I was scared and didn't switch on the light. I got my gun and moved towards the bathroom. I screamed at the intruder."
"Because I did not have my legs on I felt vulnerable. I fired shots through the bathroom door and told Reeva to call police. I walked back to the bed and realised Reeva was not in bed. It then it dawned on me it could be her in there."
He said he tried to open the bathroom door, but it was locked, and went to the balcony to scream for help. He put "on" his legs, and broke the door open with a cricket bat, got a key and opened it. "I … called paramedics and complex security, I tried to carry her downstairs for help. I tried to help her but she died in my arms. After the shooting I did not flee the scene. I remained until the police arrived."
However, prosecutor Gerrie Nel said that Pistorius actually put on his protheses and went to shoot Steenkamp, who had locked herself in the bathroom, "If I arm myself, walk a distance and murder a person, that is premeditated. The door is closed. There is no doubt. I walk seven meters and I kill."
Sources claim that Steenkamp's injuries may have included a skull fracture (possibly caused by the reportedly bloody cricket bat). The City Press reports, "One cartridge was found in the bedroom and the police suspect Oscar may have 'chased' her and fired the first shot before Steenkamp could lock herself inside the toilet. 'The suspicion is that the first shot, in the bedroom, hit her in the hip. She then ran and locked herself in the toilet. She was doubled over because of the pain. He fired three more shots. She probably covered her head, which is why the bullet also went through her hand,' said a source." Other rumors suggest that Pistorius was jealous over a rugby player Steenkamp was friends with and that banned substances were found in Pistorius' home.
Today, Steenkamp was buried in Port Elizabeth. Her father told the press, "We have to keep Reeva in our hearts forever."
Here's video of pistorius family in court. The case was adjourned until tomorrow; Pistorius remains in custody without bail."
Tagged
Oscar Pistorius
premeditated murder
Reeva Steenkamp
South Africa
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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