Oscar Pistorius

[BennyHarp]

Looks like this case is going to have plenty of surprises. Lead detective Hilton Botha is reportedly getting dropped from the case due to attempted murder allegations.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2013/feb/21/oscar-pistorius-bail-hearing-day-three-live-coverage

Edit: Or is he being dropped? Maybe he is just out of his depth?

[gallsman]

Chat here isn't going to change the outcome of the trial so we can say whatever the fcuk we want (informed or otherwise).

I wasn't suggesting that there would be an effect on the outcome of the trial. More lamenting the mindset that enables people to judge someone guilty of crime based on a few days' news headlines.

[rodney trotter]

The lead detective has been dropped from the case, facing his own court hearing

http://t.co/OOBki8OEuf

[muppet]

The defence may angle for a reduced charge, some media are speculating on culpable homicide.

From wiki:

South Africa
"Culpable homicide" has been defined simply[3] as "the unlawful negligent killing of a human being".

[mouview]

Chris Brown was arrested on suspicion of firing on a burglar at his home last night. Afterwards he confessed he thought he was shooting at his girlfriend.

[take_yer_points]

Arguments finished - ruling at 2.30pm their time (I think that's 12.30pm here)

[All of a Sludden]

He has benn granted bail.   http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0222/368996-oscar-pistorius-court/

[stew]

He has benn granted bail.   http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0222/368996-oscar-pistorius-court/

See if a brother of mine did that to his GF I would not be celebrating his release on bail, I wouldnt even show up to support him if I knew him to be guilty, he could go fcuk himself for killing a woman in such circumstances, I will never get the gloating and happiness when the likes of this guy has a small victory in court like this, have they no thought for the victim's family???

[ApresMatch]

WTF would the burglar have been stealing in the bathroom? Or did he think the burglar was havin a quick dump before robbin the place. This is balls, he lost the head and shot her ffs!! Ive no doubt he regrets it but still!! Feel for her family at this stage, theyre gona have to sit and watch the trial, which if the bail hearing is anything to go by looks like being a circus!!

[deiseach]

The Guardian has a decent summary of the ruling:

Judge Desmond Nair has granted Oscar Pistorius bail ahead of his trial for the alleged murder of Reeva Steenkamp. Bail has been set at 1m rand (£73,000), and Pistorius has been ordered not to return to Silver Woods estate, where the shooting took place, and to report to a police station on Mondays and Fridays.

These were the judge's main reasons:

• He did not think Pistorius was a flight risk.

• He did not think the prosecution had shown that Pistorius had a propensity for violence.

• He did not think the prosecution had shown there would be public outrage if he were released on bail.

• He did not think the prosecution's case was so strong that Pistorius's only reasonable reaction were he released would be to flee.

But the judge also pointed out holes in Pistorius's story that may prove important when the case comes to trial:

• Why did he not ascertain Steenkamp's whereabouts?

• Why did he not verify who was in the toilet?

• Why did Steenkamp not scream back from the toilet?

• Why did the deceased and the accused not escape through the bedroom door rather than venture into the toilet?

• Why would the accused venture into danger knowing the intruder was in the toilet, leaving himself open to attack? He returned to the dangerous area. What if the intruder was waiting for him?

And he said he had difficulty with the defence's version of why the accused slept on the other side of the bed from usual that night.

[All of a Sludden]

Oscar Pistorious has been granted bail, on condition that he hands over his arms.

[muppet]

Oscar Pistorious has been granted bail, on condition that he hands over his arms.

Sadly this type of joke will run and run.

[muppet]

[Main Street]

Oscar Pistorious has been granted bail, on condition that he hands over his arms.

Sadly this type of joke will run and run.

Well Muppet, you appear to be partial to the odd joke yourself

I was bemused by the bail conditions,  'hand over your passport and your arsenal of weapons' please.
It's easy to forget that a young woman has been killed, behind all this absurdity.

[All of a Sludden]

Oscar Pistorious has been granted bail, on condition that he hands over his arms.

Sadly this type of joke will run and run.

Oscar wanted a new bathroom door, but the girlfriend was dead against it.