Paralympic and Olympic star Oscar Pistorius appeared in South African court Friday and was accused by prosecutors of the “premeditated” murder of his girlfriend.
Pistorius, called “Blade Runner” due to his carbon-fiber prosthetic blade-legs, is accused of killing his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, at his Pretoria suburb home early Thursday. Pistorius disputes the accusations in “the strongest terms,” according to an official statement. He also sent his “deepest sympathies” to Steenkamp’s family.
According to South African police, Pistorius and 30-year-old Steenkamp were the only people in the home when the shooting occurred.
NBC News reports that Pistorius began Friday’s hearing with his head down and his hands to his face. He appeared confused at times and reportedly sobbed.
“Take it easy. Come, take a seat,” Reuters quoted Magistrate Desmond Nair as telling him.
One of his defense attorneys said that Pistorius was in a “traumatised state of mind.”
Prosecutors said that Pistorius had committed “premeditated murder” and formally charged him as such. After the hearing, Pistorius’s agent released a statement which said thatthe “alleged murder is disputed in the strongest terms.” It added:
“Oscar Pistorius has made history as an Olympic and Paralympic sportsman and has been an inspiration to others the world over. He has made it very clear that he would like to send his deepest sympathies to the family of Reeva. He would also like to express his thanks through us today for all the messages of support he has received – but as stated our thoughts and prayers today should be for Reeva and her family – regardless of the circumstances.”
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