Double amputee track star Oscar Pistorius is currently on trial for the murder of his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
The “Blade Runner” is a double amputee South African sprinter who gained world-wide recognition when he made the jump from competing in the Paralympics to the Summer Olympics in 2012. During the Summer games, Pistorius became the first double-leg amputee to participate as he ran both the 400-meter sprint and 4×400 relay and even won a silver medal for his participation in the South African 4×400 relay. This made Pistorius the first double amputee to win an able-bodied world track medal in history. Pistorius previous accomplishments include six gold medals and two broken records for the 400-meter sprint and 4×100 meter relay during the 2012 Paralympics Summer Games. Although there have been disputes about his prosthetics and how the materials of his prosthetics may give him an unfair advantage over abled-runners, Pistorius was always regarded as an inspiring athlete that was able to beat incredible odds to follow his dreams.
But on Valentine’s Day in 2013 all of that changed. The sports community went into shock when Pistorius was taken into custody on suspicion that he may have murdered his girlfriend. According to CBS news, one of Pistorius’ neighbors “heard a woman scream, followed by moments of silence, then heard gunshots and more screaming” the night Pistorius’ girlfriend was murdered. Pistorius was charged officially in August 2013 with premeditated murder. The court dates were issued for March 3 of this year and are currently on going.
Pistorius is not denying killing Steenkamp, but claims that he believed she was an intruder and meant to implement South Africa’s “right to life” law, making it permissible to use lethal force only when your life is directly threatened. So far, the court hearings have basically consisted of beginning statements and testimonies from witnesses like Pistorius’ neighbors and ex-girlfriend. One of Pistorius’ neighbor described that it was adamant that the screams that she heard on the night of Steenkamp’s death was indeed a woman’s and not a man’s. Pistorius’ ex-girlfriend, Samantha Taylor, also spoke against Pistorius as she described him as controlling and very concerned about his own safety.
Another neighbor heard the screams and gunshots and went to Pistorius’ home to check on the residence. He describes being let into the house by one of Pistorius’ security guards and watching Pistorius carrying Steenkamp’s deceased body down the stairs. He describes Pistorius as being very upset and screaming that he thought that Steenkamp was an intruder. The neighbor also made a point to mention Pistorius’ sincerity and the amount of emotional pain the Olympian was in during the night of the murder.
There are a few legal issues associated with the case. South African court hearings do not utilize a jury and instead implement a judge to interpret the case as well as sentencing the defendant. The law also states that for pre-meditated murder the sentencing is a mandatory 25 years in prison. In short, Pistorius either receives the full sentence or walks away a free man. In addition, Pistorius tampered with evidence when he picked up and moved Steenkamp’s body during the night of the murder which could be used against him by the plaintiff.
The case is expected to last another two weeks and so far each side is being heard equally. The next court hearing is scheduled for this week where testimonies will continued to be heard on March 11.
Camille Weber/ Sports columnist
