Tearful in Court, Pistorius Later Disputes Murder Charge
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| Oscar Pistorius reacts in court in Pretoria, South Africa, on Feb. 15, 2013. (AP) |
OscarPistorius’s family said in a statement that the Paralympic star would fight
charges that he shot and killed his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius denied the murder charges “in the strongest terms,” his family and
management said, and offered their ‘deepest sympathy’ to Steenkamp’s family,”
the Guardian
reported.
Pistorius
sobbed through a Friday court appearance, and when the judge said the words,
“premeditated murder” — the charge the prosecution hopes to pursue — he doubled
over, head bowed, weeping and shaking.
“He
remained inconsolable and silent throughout, a lonely man in a crowded room,” the
Guardian said.
Reports from
South Africa also reveal a courtroom full of supportive friends in
disbelief.
“He
is the kindest, most gentle person. Never ever, ever would I have guessed this
would happen,” a friend who has known Pistorius for five years, and asked to
remain anonymous, told the Mail & Guardian. “He would never brush off
anyone. No matter where you were with him, every single time he saw people who
wanted to talk to him, he would take two or three minutes to spend with them.
Whether it was a signature or a hug, he would take the time.”
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| Lucky Nxumalo/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images |
The
source said he had met with Pistorius and Steenkamp several times, and
that the couple was “so fun” together.
“He
would tickle her leg and she would just scream with laughter.” He said
Pistorius would refer to Steenkamp as “my nunu”.
It’s
also worth noting his importance to South Africa, as The
Washington Post’s Kevin Sullivan reported. In a country with a legacy of
corrupt politicians, racial violence and few global sports victories, Pistorius
stood out as an underdog who brought honor to South Africa.
Known
as the “Blade Runner,” Pistorius is a revered figure in South Africa. The
nation roared for him during his historic appearance at the 2012 London
Olympics, where he became the first double-amputee sprinter to compete.
Ancilla
Smith, a spokeswoman for Special Olympics in South Africa, said South Africans
identified with Pistorius because “he has become a symbol of overcoming
adversity, which is pretty much what South Africa is all about.”
Of
course, none of this mitigates the horror of the shooting itself, in which
Steenkamp was shot four times through the bathroom door, in the head, chest,
hand and pelvis, after what neighbors said
were loud voices and shouting.
And
it seems there was more to the Olympian than his support for good causes and
his relentless drive to win. As journalists have combed through past profiles
of the running star in the wake of the shooting, they’ve uncovered past
incidents of assault against former girlfriends, a taste for firearms
and a drunk
boating incident.
But
the other tragic story within the Pistorius shooting is that of a beleaguered,
up-and-coming nation losing a major role model.
source:
washingtonpost.com
nytimes.com
oscar-pistorius-denies-murdering-his-girlfriend
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