Oscar Pistorius shoots girlfriend

When I first saw this thought what a tragic accident but just had breaking news on Twitter saying that he won't be given bail and there were witnesses, which sounds more sinister :eek:
 
It went from assumed he had mistaken her for an intruder, to being charged with murder and bail being opposed by the SA police. It then also said there was a history of domestic issues.

I am obviously not good at picking sporting heros. I thought Lance Armstrong was great too and for me, Oscar epitomised the spirit and grit of the Olympics (non equestrian side)

Massive shame. So sad for his stunning girlfriend and as he is such a massive hero in SA I can't see the police being anything other than 200% sure of the facts they have released to the media.
 
I thought he had a nasty side when he complained about one of his other competitors having better 'prosthetics'... Not in the spirit, bad loser etc ...
 
This is just an awful story. Was reading in the telegraph that he shot her through the bathroom door first as they found bullet holes there. Reports of shots being fired and then screams and then more shots.

Terrifying!

It will all come out in the court case
 
What a strange course this is taking. So much being made public at a bail hearing.
Much of it inaccurate it seems.

We hear things one day that seem to confirm this was no accident. The next day we hear that information discredited.

I know nothing of the legal system in SA but i am struggling to understand why we are hearing of steroids being found and neighbours hearing arguments. Then being told there were no steroids and neighbours were over 600mtrs away, that's a long way to be sure you'd heard a row.

This isn't even the trial.

What a mess. It's a bit of a media circus.
 
Ribbons, I agree, this situation has more twists & turns than any book..

It's all as clear as mud & yet one can't help but be impressed by his legal team...
 
Its highly interesting when you follow this case. To date we have had.. illegal steroids found, later proved to be legal herbal supplements, witness heard shouting and argument, witness than turned out to more than 600m from the house, Oscar had time to put on his limbs, Oscar did not put them on

And now of course it turns out that the policeman leading the enquiry has been discredited as he himself is facing separate murder charges.

I just hope Reenas SteenKamps family are given some answers and peace.
 
It all just seems a bit suspect to me I'm afraid...

He felt vulnerable because he didn't have his prosthetics on which is why he shot... but apparently he carried her body in to the living room after realising he'd shot her...I know he would be strong but could he really carry a full grown woman without prosthetics?

Also, why the hell would he not have shouted at said intruder?...something to the tune of "ive got a gun, and I'm calling the cops" surely then, the gf would have said "don't be a knobber, its me, I'm on the loo!"

hmmm....also, is it common practice to give suspected murders bail anyway? whether he's guilty or not (and Im leaning towards the former) I would have thought it was too much of a risk to have them running around SA...or does his celeb status buy him extra freedom?

Nike arent doing great though; Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong and now Pistorius :P
 
I have a friend from SA. He moved here 12 years ago with his wife and 13 year old son. Why, because after two home invasions in a month he had to get out. both times the intruders were armed - the second time his wife and child were tied up and a gun was put in his son's mouth and they pulled the trigger. Thankfully the gun jammed. He told me that in SA you just do not ask questions or alert the intruder - you shoot first and ask questions later.

The home invaders have no thought as to quality of life - a loophole in SA law meant that they got more for a robbery than a murder which is why so many people are shot in the head for their car, or even mobile phone,if they stop at lights.

I actually believe Oscar Pistorius and as for possibly being a murderer because he complained about another runner at the Olympics..well, I find that amazing..he was right to complain without his legs on he was a foot shorter than Oscar in his legs with them on he was a foot taller...

Anyway, hopefully the truth will out. What does annoy me though is how many people (not so much on here) are willing to believe things before they are verified. Now we are hearing that so much of the police "evidence" either doesn't even exist yet (autopsy results and tests) or never existed in the first place (ie no testosterone or steroids and no witness).
 
I actually believe Oscar Pistorius and as for possibly being a murderer because he complained about another runner at the Olympics..well, I find that amazing..he was right to complain without his legs on he was a foot shorter than Oscar in his legs with them on he was a foot taller...

Anyway, hopefully the truth will out. What does annoy me though is how many people (not so much on here) are willing to believe things before they are verified. Now we are hearing that so much of the police "evidence" either doesn't even exist yet (autopsy results and tests) or never existed in the first place (ie no testosterone or steroids and no witness).

I'm in complete agreement with you.
 
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What I don't get is how you don't notice your partner is not in bed beside you?? Or did they sleep in seperate rooms? Even so if your partner is in your house why would you asume there is an intruder in your bathroom and it wasn't them?
 
I think that we have to wait and see. I'm reserving judgement. South Africa is a dangerous country & totally different to here. However, I'm not yet convinced that the perpetrator is not without serious character flaws.

What a terribly tragic situation for all & doesn't it remind some of us older forums users of the 'O J Simpson' drama?
 
It doesn't me. From the word go Simpson tried to flee the country and at no point showed any emotion or remorse.
 
I read somewhere earlier this week that the legal system works very differently over in SA than here.
They do not have a jury in the trial - due to historical reasons - as it was never believed a fair trial would be had with an all white jury etc. in the modern day part of the reason they do not have a jury is that it would be too expensive/time consuming etc for the trial to be translated into 12 different languages that are spoken and recognised within SA.
The judge alone is able to hear all of the evidence and has the power to give a verdict and punishment. Apparently it is thought that the judge as a respected and qualified individual would be harder to corrupt/intimidate that the 'common man'.
This is why the court room is open and the media have access to all of the information!!!
 
I read somewhere earlier this week that the legal system works very differently over in SA than here.
They do not have a jury in the trial - due to historical reasons - as it was never believed a fair trial would be had with an all white jury etc. in the modern day part of the reason they do not have a jury is that it would be too expensive/time consuming etc for the trial to be translated into 12 different languages that are spoken and recognised within SA.
The judge alone is able to hear all of the evidence and has the power to give a verdict and punishment. Apparently it is thought that the judge as a respected and qualified individual would be harder to corrupt/intimidate that the 'common man'.
This is why the court room is open and the media have access to all of the information!!!

That is very interesting and now makes sense of all the comments saying that the SA judicial system is also on trial. However our own system has not worked brilliantly has it (thinking of the wife taking her husbands driving points and the jury had to be disqualified and start again). I agree with the court room being open. While it can be seen as salacious it also ensures nothing can be hidden though I personally have found it interesting how some of the media will focus on certain arguments and not report the responses. And of course there will be speculation. This is a globally known athlete who previously was seen as an icon. I choose not to post my personal opinions as fact but am following the media closely. The best upto the minute reporting is on twitter and is@rohit kachroo.
 
What I don't get is how you don't notice your partner is not in bed beside you?? Or did they sleep in seperate rooms? Even so if your partner is in your house why would you asume there is an intruder in your bathroom and it wasn't them?

Apparently, they were both in bed together when Oscar got up and went to the window/balcony to retrieve a fan. The officials said that the room was pitch black. In his testimony, Oscar said he heard sounds coming from the toilet, which is separated from the bathroom by a door. He thought he left Reeva sleeping in bed (bed clothes rumpled), so he reached under the bed and retrieved his gun. But, she had gotten up to use the loo (autopsy report said her bladder was empty)...
 
Crikey this gets more like a tv soap every day. The brother it seems is also facing a murder charge for a different incident.
 
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