Oscar’s lawyer rejects murder charge

Reuters

State Prosecutor Gerrie Nel looks at the bathroom plan of Oscar Pistorius' house during a break in court proceedings at the Pretoria Magistrates court. Photo: Reuters

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Pretoria - If Oscar Pistorius had wanted to kill his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, he did not need a locked toilet or bathroom, his lawyer said at his bail application in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

“He could do it anywhere,” said advocate Barry Roux, rejecting not only the murder charge, but also that it was premeditated as the State has alleged.

Pistorius is charged with murdering Steenkamp, which he has denied in an affidavit, saying he thought there was an intruder in the house when he shot into the toilet she was in.

“There is no evidence that the applicant knew it was Reeva in the toilet,” said Roux.

A post mortem showed her bladder was empty, consistent with a person getting up early in the morning to go to the toilet.

The charge sheet itself does not mention premeditated murder, just murder, continued Roux.

It stated that Steenkamp spent the night, indicating a “loving relationship”. Every preamble in the charge sheet did not support premeditated murder either, he said.

Pistorius also gave the same version of events to his sister Aimee.

The court adjourned for lunch. - Sapa