Oscar Pistorius Murder Charge
OSCAR Pistorius has already spent seven nights behind bars and will be hoping he is set free when his bail hearing re-opens tonight (Australian time).
Prosecutors believe the dual-amputee Olympic sprinter gunned down 29-year-old Reeva Steenkamp in cold blood at his luxurious home on Valentine’s Day, while Pistorius claimed he shot her thinking she was an intruder.
Here, we answer some of the key questions about what confronts Pistorius in his legal battle.
Why such a long bail hearing?
Pistorius’s case is being handled by the National Prosecuting Authority, the government agency that handles criminal cases in the country, with a team of prosecutors.
The police work with this agency, presenting evidence to the authority, which then decides whether there is sufficient evidence to go ahead with a prosecution.
Magistrate Desmond Nair has said he would, “for the purpose of this application, at this point in time, … consider this an offence listed under schedule 6”.
Given this, and the seriousness of the charge, Pistorius’s lawyers will have to prove exceptional circumstances if he is to be granted bail.