According to the Washington Post on Monday, Oscar Pistorius will be returning to the Pretoria, South Africa court room Tuesday and Wednesday for a bail hearing. The Paralympian/Olympian is facing a murder charge from the Valentine’s Day shooting of his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
Apparently prosecutors believe that the murder was premeditated. South Africa’s City Press reported over the weekend that a bloodied cricket bat was found at the home of Pistorius where the killing took place.
Even though investigators have not shed any light as to the bat’s relevance to the case, City Press reported that the bat is “the central piece of evidence in the unfolding murder investigation” and went on to state that Steenkamp’s skull was “crushed” before she was shot four times.
Prosecutors will present their case that he should be held without bail until his trial, offering details about the shooting last Thursday and why they believe it was a premeditated murder.
Pistorius will have a chance to enter an official plea. The Pistorius camp maintains his innocence at this point; stating that he accidentally killed her mistaking her for a burglar.
If this case goes to trial, the national hero’s fate will not be decided by a jury. In the South African court system, the trial would be conducted before a single judge who may be assisted by two advisers. The advisors’ objective is assessing the technical aspects of the evidence.
If Pistorius is found guilty of the murder charge, he has the option of appealing the verdict. He will not be facing the death penalty as it does not exist in the South African court system.
Ironically Pistorius will be begin the fight for his life on Tuesday as Steenkamp’s family and friends bury her and celebrate the life that was taken too soon.
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