Too much to bear: Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius weeps in the dock as he is formally charged with the murder of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at Pretoria Magistrates' Court this morning...
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Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius broke down in tears in court today as he was formally charged with the murder of his model girlfriend.
The Paralympic superstar held his head in his hands as one count of murder was read out to him in Pretoria Magistrates' Court this morning.
He did not enter a plea to the charge that he killed FHM cover girl Reeva Steenkamp, 29, in the early hours of Valentine's Day, but his family and management company later said he disputed the allegation 'in the strongest terms'.
Prosecutors told the court they would argue it was pre-meditated murder, a more serious charge than murder which carries a mandatory life sentence.
Overcome with emotion, Pistorius was comforted by his father, brother and sister as gasps were heard throughout the packed courtroom.
The hearing came as a picture emerged of the weapon, believed to be a 9amm pistol, allegedly used in the killing. It was seen in a clear plastic bag being carried by a police officer.
According to media reports in South Africa this morning, security guards at the complex found Pistorius by Steenkamp's body in the bathroom after she had been shot four times through the door.
Charged: The 26-year-old is accused of killing of FHM cover girl Reeva Steenkamp, 29, whose name was officially revealed for the first time at the hearing, in the early hours of Valentine's Day
Overcome with emotion: The double amputee bows his head in his hands after prosecutors tell the court they may upgrade the charge to pre-meditated murder, an offence that carries a mandatory life term...
Support: Pistorius's father, Henke, reaches out to his son after his emotional court appearance
More than 100 people packed into Courtroom C, including dozens of photographers and videographers.
Pistorius's father Henke, brother Carl and sister Aimee gathered in court to support the athlete who arrived dressed in a grey suit and blue tie.
The celebrated runner began sobbing, covering his face with his hands, as the charge against him was read out.
Chief magistrate Desmond Nair told him: 'Take it easy. Come take a seat.'
The hearing came after a two-hour delay while Pistorius's lawyers objected to the scrum of local and international reporters packed into the courtroom.
Pistorius said nothing during the 40-minute hearing. Henke and Carl Pistorius sat directly behind him, occasionally leaning forward to give him a pat on the shoulder.
In despair: Pistorius's defence lawyer said the Paralympian is in a 'traumatized state of mind'
Accused: Pistorius is escorted by police into the dock during his court appearance in Pretoria
Worldwide attention: The hearing came after a two-hour delay while Pistorius's lawyers objected to the scrum of reporters that packed into the courtroom...
Keeping him calm: Chief magistrate Desmond Nair (left) told Pistorius: 'Take it easy. Come take a seat'...
Postponed: The bail hearing was adjourned until next week, with police expected to oppose the application...
State prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the sportsman that he intends to argue that he took part in a 'premeditated murder'.
At this, Pistorius once again slumped forward with his head in his hands.
While, under South African law, there is only a charge of murder, anyone committed of a murder that has an element of pre-planning faces an automatic life sentence, unless the court can find an exceptional reason not to grant life.
If Pistorius is sent to prison for 'life', that, in a South African context, would mean that he will spend at least 25 years in prison. He would not be eligible for parole until he is 51.
His defence lawyer said the Paralympian is in a 'traumatized state of mind'.
A bail hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday, with police expected to oppose the application.
Lethal weapon: A police officer holds a gun allegedly used in the shooting of Miss Steenkamp outside the Boschkop police station, east of Pretoria...
Charged: Oscar Pistorius covers his face with a jacket as he leaves Boshkop police station ahead of his court appearance in Pretoria this morning accused of murdering his model girlfriend..
Arrival: Star athlete Oscar Pistorius enters Pretoria Magistrates Court this morning as paper is used to cover the windows of the police car to prevent photos of the murder suspect being taken..
Accusations: Pistorius was arrested yesterday morning after Miss Steenkamp was found dead in his Pretoria mansion after being shot four times at 4am yesterday
The hearing was adjourned and Pistorius will be held at a local police station until his next court appearance.
Afterwards, his family and management company issued a statement from London, which said: 'The alleged murder is disputed in the strongest terms.'
It added that Pistorius 'would like to send his deepest sympathies to the family of Reeva'.
Meanwhile, police said today that an autopsy on the body of the victim was taking place. Lt Col Katlego Mogale said the results of the autopsy would not be published.
The court opened at just before 7am GMT today, as he arrived.
He was seen coming out of the police station where he had been held overnight covering his face with the jacket of his suit.
Henke and Carl Pistorius hugged each other in a show of solidarity before following the police escort that took the double amputee to the courthouse. Both looked tired and strained.
Pistorius was swept into the courthouse, hidden in the back of a police car, which had its windows blocked with paper to prevent anyone seeing the alleged murderer's face.
Pistorius had initially been expected to appear in court yesterday, but the hearing was postponed to allow forensics more time to study his mansion.
Strained: Oscar Pistorius's father Henke Pistorius follows the police vehicle escort taking his son to the Pretoria magistrates' court this morning...
Show of support: A family friend hugs the Paralympian's brother Carl ahead of the athlete's court appearance...
As he awaited his hearing, the Afrikaans-language Beeld newspaper claimed Miss Steenkamp had been shot four times, in the head, chest, pelvis and hand through the bathroom door.
The paper, which carried the headline 'Death behind a door', quotes unnamed residents who say they had spoken to security guards at his gated complex.
'The security guards found Pistorius by Steenkamp's body in the bathroom,' the paper said on its website, citing a neighbour. 'The door had bullet holes right through it.'
It is not clear whether the door was locked at the time of the shooting.
Initial reports suggested the model may have been mistaken for a burglar, but Brigadier Denise Beukes later said police were 'very surprised' by that suggestion, adding: 'These allegations did not come from us.'
There had been previous incidents of a 'domestic nature' at the property on the exclusive, gated Silver Lakes Golf Estate in the South African capital Pretoria, she added.
A 9mm pistol was recovered and, according to unconfirmed reports, four shots were fired.
Police spokeswoman Lt Col Katlego Mogale said: 'Paramedics declared the woman dead on the scene and police proceeded with their investigation.
'The woman sustained wounds to her head and the upper body.'
Murder suspect: Olympic and Paralympic star Reeva Steenkamp, 29, who was shot dead yesterday. The runner is due in court today...
Culled from The Daily Mail UK...
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
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