CNN, REUTERS AFRICA, NEWS 24, EYEWITNESS NEWS (South Africa)
PRETORIA– Oscar Pistorius has been granted bail after a hearing that lasted four days. He is charged with the shooting of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day.
In Friday’s ruling, Magistrate Desmond Nair stated that his decision does not mean that the State’s case is weak, but that he does not consider Pistorius a flight risk, South Africa’s Eyewitness News reports.
The defense had argued that the Paralympian athlete is “too famous” and deserved bail in order to prepare for a trial that has attracted worldwide attention, writes Reuters.
According to CNN, the former chief investigator in the case, Hilton Botha, made “several errors and concessions” during his testimony on Wednesday, and the prosecution, led by Gerrie Nel, had failed to prove that Pistorius was a flight risk, nor did he have a disposition towards violence.
South Africa’s News24 reports that the terms of bail were strict and included not returning to the home where Steenkamp was shot, handing over any passports, surrendering all firearms, no drugs or alcohol consumption, staying away from airports and any witnesses involved in the case.
The trial is slated to begin on June 4.
