Oscar Pistorius, the “Blade Runner”-sprinting Olympian hero of South Africa, will face a March 3 trial on premeditated murder charges for the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, prosecutors said on Monday.
He was indicted on the charges, with prosecutors saying in court documents that “the accused did unlawfully and intentionally kill a person,” CNN reported. Steenkamp was fatally shot on Valentine’s Day inside Mr. Pistorius’ home. He long has claimed that he mistakenly killed her, firing behind his closed bathroom door at what he thought was an unauthorized intruder.
Mr. Pistorius was also indicted on charges of violating South Africa’s firearms control law for holding on to ammunition that didn’t fit the gun he owned, CNN said. South African law says that valid gun owners can only have in their possession the ammunition that fits their particular weapon. Mr. Pistorius admitted that he was storing ammunition for his father.
If convicted, Mr. Pistorius will face life in prison — a mandatory sentence for premeditated murder.
Mr. Pistorius was mostly composed during the indictment, but he did let a few tears fall down his cheek, CNN reported.
Prosecutors have a list of 100 witnesses they may bring to testify.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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