Alexander Joe / AFP – Getty Images
Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius arrives at Pretoria Magistrates Court on Monday.He was indicted on premeditated murder and illegal possession of ammunition charges.
By Henry Austin, NBC News contributor
Olympian Oscar Pistorius cried in court on Monday and friends of slain model Reeva Steenkamp were “visibly distressed” as the double-amputee was indicted on a premeditated murder charge.
Pistorius stood in the dock of the courtroom in Pretoria, South Africa, and wiped away tears. He also held hands with his brother Carl and sister Aimee. The court later set March 3 as the trial date for Pistorius.
Dubbed “Blade Runner” because of his prosthetic legs, Pistorius will face a premeditated murder charge in relation to the fatal Valentine’s Day shooting of Steenkamp, a 30-year-old law graduate.
“I am satisfied with the provisions that my legal team have made,” Pistorius said during the short hearing.
A list of more than 100 witnesses was submitted to the court. Pistorius was also indicted for illegal possession of ammunition.
The Paralympic star denies murder and says that he shot girlfriend Steenkamp after mistaking her for an intruder at his home.
If found guilty of premeditated murder, Pistorius will face at least 25 years in prison.
South Africa does not have trial by jury or the death penalty.
Last Monday, a South African newspaper published photographs of Pistorius on a beach during a holiday with friends. In the rare public appearance, Pistorius was wearing a white T-shirt and a life-vest as he paddled with another man in a kayak. In another photo, he is standing on the beach in shorts, his pale prosthetic legs exposed to the sunshine.
NBC News’ Rohit Kachroo and Ron Allen and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related:
- Judge: ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius can leave South Africa while on bail
- Slain model’s father: Pistorius will ‘suffer’ if he’s lying about her death
- Oscar Pistorius murder case detective quits South African police
This story was originally published on Mon Aug 19, 2013 4:47 AM EDT
Teary "Blade Runner" indicted
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