During the 2012 London Paralympic Games, there was perhaps no more inspirational athlete to watch than Oscar Pistorius, also known as the Blade Runner.
The glory of the two golds and one silver medal Pistorius won has been overshadowed by his arrest for the early morning Valentine's Day killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
As noted in The Guardian, there are many disputed points in Steenkamp's death. Among the points in dispute, Pistorius claims that he didn't have his trademark prosthetic legs on at the time of the shooting. However, the police evidence disputes this claim.
A new twist was introduced during the bail hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 20 as news emerged that lead detective Hilton Botha was himself facing attempted murder charges.
Breaking news by Agence France-Presse on Twitter early in the morning on Feb. 21 state that detective Hilton Botha has been dropped from the case.
Those watching around the world will learn today if Botha is dropped from the case or not. The decision whether or not to grant Pistorius bail will also likely emerge during today's hearing, soon to be underway.
The victories won by Pistorius in the 100 meter, 200 meter and 400 meter races brought the South African runner celebrity status around the world.
Now the world watches to see whether the death of Steenkamp will be ruled a tragic accident, as Pistorius claims, or premeditated murder, as claimed by the prosecution.
What is for certain is what Pistorius admits: that he shot Steenkamp, who had spent the night, through the bathroom door.
Pistorius claims that he heard noises in the night and, thinking that there was an intruder in the bathroom, grabbed his gun and shot.
It was only after the shooting that Pistorius realized that Steenkamp wasn't in the bed, according to Pistorius.
Pistorius claims that he put on his prosthetic legs and tried to open the bathroom door. Finding the door locked, he claims that he used a cricket bat to break down the door, where he found Steenkamp in the floor.
The prosecution's case includes the contentions that there had been a previous incident where police were called to the Pistorius home and additional incidents involving violent threats.
The prosecution also claims that a female witness heard an argument between a man and woman between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on the night in question.
Another witness claims to have seen lights on in the home, which contradicts Pistorius' claims that it was dark in the room at the time of the shooting.
It remains to be seen what the outcome of the case will be; however, today's news will likely clarify whether Pistorius is granted bail and whether Botha will remain on the case.
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