Quantcast
breaking news

Oscar Pistorius Family Says They Realize 'Law Must Run Its Course'

By: ABC News
Updated: February 23, 2013

South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius is spending time his family today after the athlete was freed on $113,000 bail Friday.

"We realise that the law must run its course, and we would not have it any other way," the Olympian's uncle, Arnold Pistorius said in a statement on Saturday.

The Pistorius family expressed their gratitude that the former Olympian was allowed out of jail before the trial.

"This constitutes a moment of relief under these otherwise very grave circumstances" said Arnold Pistorius."We are extremely thankful that Oscar is now home."

Pistorius, 26, is charged with premeditated murder in the Valentine's Day shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

While the prosecution argued that the world-renowned athlete was a flight risk and had a history of violence, South African Magistrate Desmond Nair, who presided over the case, disagreed.

FULL COVERAGE: Oscar Pistorius

"He regards South Africa as his permanent place of abode, he has no intention to relocate to any other country" Nair said during his two hour ruling, before concluding with, "the accused has made the case to be released on bail."

Pistoriuis will have to adhere to strict conditions to stay out of jail before the trial. He must give up all his guns, he cannot drink alcohol or return to the home where the shooting occurred, and he must check in with a police department twice a week.

Oscar Pistorius is believed to be staying at an uncle's house as he awaits trial.

RELATED: Oscar Pistorius Case: Key Elements to the Murder Investigation

During the hearing, the prosecution argued that Pistorius shot Steenkamp after an argument, while the defense laid out an alternate version of events saying Pistorius mistook his girlfriend for an intruder.

Nair took issue with the head detective originally in charge of the case, who he said "blundered" in gathering evidence and was removed from the case after it was revealed he is facing attempted murder charges.

RELATED: Oscar Pistorius Case: Lead Det. Hilton Botha to Be Booted From Investigation Team

After the magistrate's decision, cheers erupted in the courtroom from the Pistorius camp. Pistorius' trial is expected to start in six to eight months, with his next pre-trial court date in June.

Reeva Steenkamp Family Reaction

Steenkamp's father, Barry Steenkamp told the South African Beeld newspaper that the 26-year-old athlete will "suffer" if he is lying about accidentally shooting 29-year-old model.

PHOTOS: Oscar Pistorius Charged with Murder

Barry Steenkamp went on to say that the Pistorius will have to "live with his conscience" if he intentionally shot Reeva.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments

Readers Feel...

hello
Related Content

COLUMBUS, Ohio A baby gorilla has been born to first-time parents at an Ohio zoo....

Elayna Nigrelli's birth story is almost unbelievable: The infant girl was born while her mother didn't have a pulse....

Sen. Ted Cruz doesn't have as many friends as he says he does. In the latest round of Cruz's simmering debate with Sen. John McCain (who labeled Cruz a "wacko bird"), Cruz spoke of "my friend, the a...

As part of their effort to attract tourists back to the storm-ravaged Jersey Shore for the summer season, New Jersey officials kicked off the season Friday by cutting 5.5-mile ribbon connecting --...

The Texas Tech Wind Science and Engineering spent Thursday following storms through the South Plains, looking for data on the wind. KLBK's Monica Yantosh reports....

With a 3 day holiday weekend millions of people across the U.S. will be traveling this weekend....

REDWOOD CITY -- A Peninsula basketball star was arrested on a murder charge earlier this month and extradited to Georgia, authorities said....

A Minnesota contractor who was gutting a dilapidated home he'd bought to renovate got more than he bargained for when he opened up the walls: He came across a 1938 comic book featuring a new...

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) recommends all Texans take a few minutes to safeguard their families by eliminating any electrical hazards. ...

Upcoming Events for Lubbock Public Libraries....

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) recommends all Texans take a few minutes to safeguard their families by eliminating any electrical hazards.
Upcoming Lubbock Public Library Events
Upcoming Events for Lubbock Public Libraries.
-->
 
 
 
 
 
©1998 - 2013 Everythinglubbock.com
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
All Rights Reserved