Because killers are all shapes, sizes, colors, political affilication

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/15/16971021-prosecutor-blade-runner-pistorius-committed-premeditated-murder-of-girlfriend?lite

JOHANNESBURG — Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee track star accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend, appeared in tears at a courtroom in the South African capital Pretoria on Friday facing a single charge of murder.

Pistorius was charged with murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

Both the prosecution and the defense asked magistrate Desmond Nair for a postponement of the bail hearing and the case was adjourned until Tuesday.

As lawyers and court officials debated whether the hearing should be televised, Mr. Pistorius held his head in his hands and sobbed. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said the prosecution would bring a charge of "premeditated murder" but Mr. Pistorius did not speak to enter a plea.

The accusation against the man nicknamed the Blade Runner stunned a nation that had seen him as a national hero who had overcome the acute challenge of being born without fibula bones; had both legs amputated below the knee as an infant; and yet became the first Paralympic sprinter to compete against able-bodied athletes at the Olympics in London last year.

Grim-faced and tired looking, Mr. Pistorius entered the court as news of events at his upmarket home in Pretoria eclipsed a State of the Nation address by President Jacob Zuma on Thursday evening and took up the front page headlines in many newspapers on Friday. “Golden Boy Loses Shine,” said one headline in The Sowetan.

The courtroom in Pretoria was packed and officials said no cameras would be allowed inside. Police officials have indicated that they will oppose an expected application for bail. Wearing a gray suit, Mr. Pistorius arrived for the hearing sitting in the back a police car, shielding his face.

Members of his family, also weeping, were in the courtroom when he appeared.

Early on Thursday morning, the police arrived at Mr. Pistorius’s house in a gated community in Pretoria to find his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, 30, in a puddle of blood, dead from gunshot wounds. Before the day was out, Mr. Pistorius, 26, who ran on carbon-fiber blades that earned him his nickname, had been charged with murder.

Ms. Steenkamp was a model about to make her debut on a reality television show.

Early news reports said Mr. Pistorius, a gun enthusiast, had mistaken his girlfriend for an intruder. But police officers said that account came as a surprise to them. They also disclosed previous law enforcement complaints about domestic episodes at his home.

Mr. Pistorius won two gold medals and a silver at last September’s Paralympic Games in London. In the 2012 Olympics the month before, he reached the 400-meter semifinal and competed in the 4x400-meter relay.

In the Paralympics, Mr. Pistorius won individual gold, successfully defending his 400-meter title. He had lost his 100- and 200-meter titles, but was part of the gold medal-winning 4x100-meter relay team. He came in second in the 200-meter race.

[Nica_In_Love 98]

This is a really tragic story. It seems like his official statement is that he thought she was an intruder locked in the bathroom and he got up and shot 4 times through the door... but I just don't comprehend how he didn't check if she was beside him first (?)

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

This is a really tragic story. It seems like his official statement is that he thought she was an intruder locked in the bathroom and he got up and shot 4 times through the door... but I just don't comprehend how he didn't check if she was beside him first (?)

Yes, something doens't add up. Why would you shoot first? I've talked to a few gun owners IRL and they have always said that you announce you have a weapon to give them a chance to leave without incident. There is something else behind all of this.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

His story is absolute bullsh*t and I think he knows it. It's a shame, I remember watching this guy during the Olympics last year and thinking what an inspiration he was.

His story makes no sense. He thought there was an intruder, and he thought his girlfriend was beside him in bed. And he yelled at her to call the police, apparently. And then shot through the door four times.

Because intruders like to lock themselves in your bathroom, you know.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I'm curious, where are all the pro gun types? Why aren't they defending him?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Give them time. They'll show up.

Didn't they also find a bloodied bat in the home?

It seems they'd been arguing for hours. I guess the bat wasn't a good enough murder weapon. Had to grab the gun.

Edited February 19, 2013 by Evylin

[lostinblue 1,989]

In addition, leading Sunday newspaper City Press said investigators had found a blood-stained cricket bat in Pistorius' bedroom. The paper said police had not yet worked out whose blood it was, but said Steenkamp's head was "crushed."

[Penny Lane 8,159]

In addition, leading Sunday newspaper City Press said investigators had found a blood-stained cricket bat in Pistorius' bedroom. The paper said police had not yet worked out whose blood it was, but said Steenkamp's head was "crushed."

That's what I thought.

I wonder what came first. Bashing her head in, or shooting her. From what I've read, officials seem to believe the gun shot wounds are what killed her.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

In addition, leading Sunday newspaper City Press said investigators had found a blood-stained cricket bat in Pistorius' bedroom. The paper said police had not yet worked out whose blood it was, but said Steenkamp's head was "crushed."

So her head was crushed and she was shot 4 times? Sounds like that was a heated argument that escalated until something deadly...

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

I'm curious, where are all the pro gun types? Why aren't they defending him?

what exactly is there to defend? he didn't identify the target - see #4 of the below.

http://www.nssf.org/safety/basics/

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I'm curious, where are all the pro gun types? Why aren't they defending him?

He stopped his GF from committing future crimes.

[decocker 7,198]

i'm thinking this has more to do with steroids than guns. time will tell..

[Caryh 5,206]

On the defense side, my wife has let loose with noises in the bathroom that has made me think and intruder was in there. Come to think of it, so have I.

Edited February 19, 2013 by Caryh

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

what exactly is there to defend? he didn't identify the target - see #4 of the below.

http://www.nssf.org/safety/basics/

That's a good guide, wish everyone would follow those rules. Kind of like our rules of escalation in the miltary.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Looks like he did not respect her "safe zone" or maybe she just lost her scissors as DHS recommends you need to protect yourself if someone is trying to kill you with a gun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPrR_nA21Ac&feature=player_embedded