TSHWANE — Murder-accused Paralympian Oscar Pistorius had failed to provide exceptional circumstances why he should be granted bail, prosecutor Gerrie Nel said in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
— BBC Sport
He was “astonished” that two parties could have such different arguments with the same facts.
He said: “(It was) murder of a defenceless woman in a 1,4m by 1,4m room.”
If the State accepted Pistorius’ version of events, all that was left was the “planned shooting of an intruder”, Nel said.
No court would ever accept that Pistorius acted in self-defence.
The firearm and the cell-phone “killed” his version, he said. “How did the gun and the cellphone get on the carpet in front of the shower?
“He (Pistorius) stood at the wash basin. He fired at the door. He dropped the gun,” Nel alleged. He asked why two cellphones and a firearm were found in the bathroom.
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“The State’s case is the preferred one,” he said. Nel also did not rule out the possibility that Pistorius had orchestrated the scene to his benefit.
All the State had to prove was that there was nothing exceptional which allowed Pistorius to get bail.
Pistorius is charged with the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He has denied this in an affidavit, and has said he thought there was an intruder in his home.
The family of Pistorius filed out of the court disappointed at the delay and a statement was due to be issued later. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said his closing argument will take “not more than an hour” when the hearing resumes this morning.
Key points
- lThe bail hearing of Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius was adjourned and will resume for a fourth day in Pretoria, South Africa, this morning
- lThe prosecution have been summing up their evidence against Pistorius, claiming he “shot to kill”
- lThe athlete denies the premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
- lIt has emerged the South African detective leading the inquiry faces seven charges of attempted murder. The new leader of the investigation team will be “top detective” in police, Lt-Gen V Moonoo, working with Gauteng commissioner.
- lSports firm Nike has confirmed it has suspended its contract with Pistorius.
