South African athlete Pistorius granted bail

PRETORIA, South Africa (UPDATED) – The magistrate granted on Friday, February 22, the bail request of South Africa’s Paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius, who was accused of murdering his model girlfriend on Valentine’s Day.

Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair delivered the decision after the 4-day hearing on Pistorius’ plea to keep him out of jail while his case remains pending.

Pistorius was told to post a bail amount of 1 million rand, and was given the following conditions:

• not communicate with the family of his dead girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, or with the prosecution witnesses;
• refrain from alcohol or other substances for the duration of his prosecution, and has to be available for testing;
• get permission for any journey outside Pretoria;
• submit himself and be available to the probation officer and correctional officer;
• not go near any airports;
• surrender all firearms.

Postorius was accused for killing Steenkamp, 29, in the early hours of February 14. He shot her four times by a 9mm pistol owned by the sprinter, and she died of her wounds at the scene.

He denied murdering his girlfriend, and told the court he shot at her through a locked bathroom door believing she was an intruder. But witnesses claimed they heard arguing, a woman screaming, and gunfire at Pistorius’ house.

After the bail hearing, Pistorius will be back in court on June 4 for the resumption of his case trial. – Rappler.com