General

10 developments in the Oscar Pistorius case via the morning papers

‘We are all grieving for Reeva,’ athlete’s uncle says of family’s state of shock

 

South African Paralympian and Olympian Oscar Pistorius has been charged with murder after his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was found shot dead early Valentine’s Day morning.

10 developments in the case:

1. A blood-covered cricket bat will be key to the investigation, City Press is reporting. Other reports, which police have not denied, suggest the model’s skull was fractured before her death. Police sources have cautioned that, in fact, blood was found on many items in the home.

2. Since his court appearance, Pistorius has been held in a single cell in a Brooklyn police station. “It was a priority to ensure that no harm comes to Oscar,” a police officer told the Guardian newspaper, “and to make double sure that, because of his disability, he is not hurt in any way that could hamper his mobility.”

3. The Olympian’s management team has pulled the athlete from all future competition “to allow Oscar to concentrate on the upcoming legal proceedings and to help and support all those involved as they try to come to terms with this very difficult and distressing situation.”

4. In a public statement, the athlete’s uncle, Arthur Pistorius, the athlete’s uncle, said the family refutes the allegation of premeditated murder.  He added that the family is in a state of total shock about the death of Reeva Steenkamp:

“All of us saw at first hand how close she had become to Oscar during that time and how happy they were. They had plans together and Oscar was happier in his private life than he had been for a long time. We are all grieving for Reeva, her family and her friends.”

5. Carl Pistorius, the athlete’s brother, has expressed condolences on Twitter: “Our hearts are broken too… we have lost a beautiful Lady. This tragedy has changed the landscape of our lives.”

6. Gertie Pistorious, the Olympian’s 89-year-old grandmother, told a newspaper that she believes it’s all a mistake. “I have got my trust in my (grandson) and I have got my trust in the case, and I am sure things will go the right way.”

7. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, David O’Sullivan writes of the Oscar Pistorius he knew:

“Last August, he was holding his head in jubilation, weeping in disbelief that he had crossed the line in first place in the 4x100m relay in a Paralympic record, weeping in relief after winning back public adulation following an earlier petulant outburst over the size of Brazilian sprinter Alan Oliveira’s running blades, and possibly weeping for joy because he knew he was one of the most popular athletes of his generation. This was the Oscar Pistorius I know. Still, I was aware that this poster boy for the Paralympic Games could have flashes of a darker side.”

8. South Africa’s national broadcaster has been criticized for screening Tropika Island of Treasure, a pre-recorded reality TV show on which Steenkamp was a contestant. The show featured a segment presumed to have been recorded after Steenkamp was eliminated from the series. “I think that the way you go out, not just your journey in life, but the way that you go out and you make your exit is so important,” she told the camera. “You’ve either made an impact in a positive way or a negative way, but just maintain integrity and maintain class and just always be true to yourself.” Women’s groups are calling on the broadcaster to donate profits from the program to charity.

9. Pistorius is due back in court Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the possibility of bail.

10. A memorial service will be held for Reeva Steenkamp on Tuesday in Port Elizabeth, the model’s hometown.

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
FILED UNDER: