Speculation swirled a plenty in recent days after South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius was wisked away by police authorities for the shooting death of model Reeva Steenkamp from Pistorius’ upscale home in a gated community in what is turning into a potential domestic violence case.
South Africa ranks just behind Columbia in shootings based on population, however its rare South Africa’s elite are touched by the taint of gun violence. The sports world appears stunned at the news of Pistorius’ arrest.
Relatives came to the defense of Pistorius who was on the verge of taking advantage of huge endorsements based on this story of overcoming the odds of being born without lower legs. This is the same Oscar Pistorius who became a world class 400 meter runner with artificial lower legs and was called “Blade Runner” during the 2012 Olympics.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/18/world/africa/south-africa-pistorius-case/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
The sordid side of privilege and competition is slowly coming to the forefront as people floating “accidently shooting intruder” or being incensed regarding being charged with murder is falling away to the facts of this case. It is turning into wishful thinking of the fans and family of Pistorius
An official close to the case disclosed that four shots were fired through the bathroom door of Pistorius’ home. Authorities confiscated a blood stain cricket bat from the premises. An illegal and banned steroid substance was also retrieved from the premises.
A commotion was heard by the neighbors late in the evening that could be attributed to a heated argument. What female during a moment of being upset has not retreated to a bathroom and locked the door during a problem? Shots fire through the bathroom door suggests during a fit of rage Pistorius may have retrieved a gun and fired through the door in frustration and anger during the situation.
Steroid use can be a catalyst of swings of violent rage or emotion, and the shooting appears to be the result of losing control of one’s temperament perhaps not meaning to actually shoot his girlfriend Reeva. It’s the best scenario one can deduce based on the information. The bloody cricket bat could lead to a darker potential happening.
Pistorius’ agent and track coach have revealed a hope that Oscar can recover from his legal problems, keep endorsements, and to continue his career. This is about as an optimistic approach one can have. Should the shooting be the result of a domestic violence dispute, the public relations nightmare would be unrecoverable for endorsements. Expect these money opportunities to quietly disappear in the light of the circumstances that are coming to the forefront.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/national_world&id=8996529
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/national_world&id=8997386
Should Pistorius have been found with the illegal steroid in his system during the quarrel, then the best he could home for is a case of involuntary homicide, still a blight he will not recover from until years of imprisonment. That issue is up to the courts to decide.
The additional complication of the blood stained cricket bat would determine the severity of the potential domestic violence issue. Was the bat used to batter down the locked bathroom door or used as a weapon during the dispute? The fact that Pistorius allegedly carried the bleeding Steenkamp downstairs from the bathroom while she was still alive can play into the charges and penalty phase of the legal proceedings.
Being a world class athlete and overcoming physical limitations can place a pressure on an individual that one cannot understand unless one walked that particular path. It’s tragic that Pistorius fell victim to the same issues that have befallen other individuals.
Physical challenges can be overcome, unfortunately the mental challenges can cause anyone to stumble badly.
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