Oscar Pistorius, the once-inspirational "Blade Runner," who sprinted to Olympic fame on two prosthetic legs is now in a courtroom in South Africa facing charges that he murdered his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day of 2013. Live stream the proceedings free by clicking this link.
Pistorius has claimed the killing was the result of a tragic mistaken identity situation and pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors aren't buying it though, charging he murdered her in cold blood after a nasty argument. The first witness, Michell Burger, has testified to hearing "blood-curdling" screams from Pistorius' residence the night of the shooting.
"It was very traumatic," Burger said. "You could hear it was blood-curdling screams. You can't translate it into words. The anxiousness in her voice, and fear. It leaves you cold. She screamed terribly and she yelled for help."
Steenkamp was shot to death in Pistorius' bathroom, through the bathroom door. "I approached the bathroom, armed with my firearm, so as to defend Reeva and I," Pistorius said in a statement. He alleges he panicked when he heard a noise inside the bathroom because he had on stumps rather than his more mobile prosthetic legs.
Steenkamp's mother June, 67, seems to have mixed emotions regarding her daughter's death and Pistorius' innocence. "I want to look at Oscar, really look him in the eyes, and see for myself the truth about what he did to Reeva," June said. "Whatever the court decides at the end of his trial, I will be ready to forgive him ... But first I want to force him to look at me, Reeva's mother, and see the pain and anguish he has inflicted on me. I feel I need that."
South Africa does not have the death penalty, but the Olympian could be facing life in prison, with the chance of parole coming only after 25 years. He could also be handed a lesser sentence if convicted of murder without premeditation, or "culpable homicide."
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.