Oscar Pistorius judge warns of 'trial by media' as he adjourns case into killing of Reeva Steenkamp

 
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Dan Newling4 June 2013
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Police investigating Oscar Pistorius need more time to gather evidence in the murder case against the athlete, a South African court heard this morning.

Four months after the South African paralympian shot model Reeva Steenkamp as she cowered in the toilet of his Pretoria home, detectives have still not completed their investigation.

Pistorius, 26, appeared in court this morning to hear that his case has been postponed until August 19th - what would have been Reeva’s 30th birthday.

Pistorius, who wore a smart suit, white shirt and tie, stared straight ahead throughout the 17 minute hearing and did not betray any emotion.

This was in stark contrast to his last court appearance, four months ago, when the fallen superstar repeatedly broke down in tears.

Before agreeing to postponed the case, Pretoria’s acting chief magistrate, Daniel Thulare, ordered that prosecutors investigate potential contempt of court.

Although Mr Thulare did not spell out who made the alleged contempt, he is believed to have been referring to leaked crime scene photographs first broadcast by Sky News and then republished around the world.

The judge told the hearing that reporters and court officials had a duty to “preserve the sanctity of the fountains of justice in the [South African] Republic.”

He went on: “Like every literate South African I read newspapers - it would appear there is a trial by media.”

Mr Thulare went on to ask why the police need more time, but was told that the defence and prosecution had agreed that this information need not be revealed in court.

Pistorius only spoke once in the brief hearing, to confirm that he understood he must abide by the conditions of his £74,000 bail.

He was supported in court by his brother Carl and sister Aimee. Reeva Steenkamps’ parents were not in court.

The hearing was Pistorius’ first court appearance since he was granted bail for the alleged murder of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, 29, in February.

Pistorius, 26, has already admitted killing Reeva by shooting her three times as she cowered behind his locked toilet door in the early hours of Valentines Day this year.

However, he denies murder.

Instead, The Blade Runner claims his killed his “beloved” girlfriend by accident, firing into the toilet while under the false impression that an intruder hid there.

South Africa’s prosecution service has charged Pistorius with “pre-mediated murder” - a crime which attracts an automatic life prison sentence.

Despite the severity of the charge, however, Pistorius - who has admitted owning a small arsenal of guns - has stayed of jail while the case against him proceeds.

Under the terms of his bail he must live at an uncle’s Pretoria mansion and can have no contact with any witnesses. He is permitted to train and even to travel abroad.

Prior to his appearance in court this morning, he has only been rarely been spotted in public: once on a brief visit to a bar, another time at a running track.

While this morning’s hearing did not hear any more details about the case against him, a provisional list of witnesses lined up to give evidence against the Paralympian has been revealed by South Africa’s eNCA television news channel.

On the list is Francois Hougaard, a professional rugby player and model who, as well as being a former boyfriend of Reeeva’s, was also one of her close friends.

Unconfirmed media reports have claimed that the 24-year-old sportsman exchanged text messages with Reeva on the night she died.

Hougaard refuses to comment.

Also on the prosecution list, according to the eNCA channel, is Pistorius’ ex girlfriend Samatha Taylor - like Reeva, a blonde model.

Also on the witness list are a dozen of Pistorius’ neighbours from the high security Silver Woods housing estate in Pretoria where the incident took place.

South Africa’s police have claimed in court that some of these neighbours heard loud shouting coming from Pistorius’ home on the evening Reeva died. Evidence, the prosecution say, that Oscar Pistorius and his girlfriend argued bitterly before he shot her.

The case continues.

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