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The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free
View Poll Results: Should athletes with prosthetic limbs be allowed to compete in able-bodied events?
Yes
51 19.54%
No
210 80.46%

02-19-2013 , 02:11 PM
I don't think his story adds up. He knew she was already in the house. He didn't need to shoot through the bathroom door. If it really had been an accident, he would have called 911 first. I'm starting to think he's guilty.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 02:57 PM
State says he shot through door with blades on, OP says without...should be easy to determine no?
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 03:03 PM
Quote:
ruled 'not a flight risk'
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 03:09 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by dnh83
I don't think his story adds up. He knew she was already in the house. He didn't need to shoot through the bathroom door. If it really had been an accident, he would have called 911 first. I'm starting to think he's guilty.
Really going out on a limb imo.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 03:12 PM
all could have turned out differently if someone had explained to him how human growth hormone actually worked
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 03:13 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aidan
all could have turned out differently if someone had explained to him how human growth hormone actually worked
"Oscar, no matter how much you take, they're not growing back."
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 04:03 PM
I would like a detailed list of all steroids being taken by the legless Olympic track runner, please. Surprised to hear he was keeping a large stash in drawers, as I'd figure a decent portion would need to be refrigerated.

In the abstract, I'd guess you could push your heart a lot farther than normal without any legs, as there's a lot less distance for blood to travel.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 04:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oscar Pistorius
The purpose of this affidavit is to provide the above Honourable Court with my personal circumstances and to address the allegations levelled against me (in so far as they are known to me).

I fail to understand how I could be charged with murder, let alone premeditated murder, as I had no intention to kill my girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp (“Reeva”).

However, I will put factors before the Honourable Court to show that it is in the interests of justice to permit my release on bail.

I state that the State will not be able to present any objective facts that I committed a planned or premeditated murder.

For this reason I will hereunder deal with the events which occurred that evening.

The objective facts will not refute my version as it is the truth. I am a professional athlete and reside at Silverlakes Drive, Silverlakes, Pretoria.

I was born on 22 November 1986, at Johannesburg. I have resided in the Republic of South Africa (“the RSA”) all my life, and although I frequently travel abroad to participate in international sporting events, I regard South Africa as my permanent place of abode.

I have no intention to relocate to any other country as I love my country.

I own immovable assets in South Africa, which consist of the following:

The immovable property in which I currently reside. This property is valued at approximately R5 million and is encumbered by a mortgage bond in the amount of approximately R2 million.

Two further immovable properties located within Weeping Willow Estates, Pretoria East, which properties have a combined value of approximately R1,6 million.

Both properties are bonded to an aggregate value of approximately R1 million.

A vacant stand in Langebaan, Western Cape, which has a value of approximately R1,7 million. This property is not bonded.

I own movable assets comprised of household furniture and effects, motor vehicles and jewellery, which are valued in excess of R500 000,00.

My friends and family reside in the RSA, although I also have friends abroad.

My professional occupation currently provides me with an income of approximately R5,6 million per annum.

I have cash investments in excess of R1 million at various banks within the RSA.

I have never been convicted of any criminal offences either in the RSA or elsewhere.

There are no outstanding cases, other than the present, being investigated against me by the South African Police Services (“SAPS”).

I have been informed that I am accused of having committed the offence of murder.

I deny the aforesaid allegation in the strongest terms.

I am advised that I do not have to deal with the merits of the case for purposes of the bail application.

However, I believe that it is appropriate to deal with the merits in this application, particularly in view of the State’s contention that I planned to murder Reeva.

Nothing can be further from the truth and I have no doubt that it is not possible for the State to present objective facts to substantiate such an allegation, as there is no substance in the allegation.



I do not know on what different facts the allegation of a premeditated murder could be premised and I respectfully request the State to furnish me with such alleged facts in order to allow me to refute such allegations.

On the 13th of February 2013 Reeva would have gone out with her friends and I with my friends.

Reeva then called me and asked that we rather spend the evening at home. I agreed and we were content to have a quiet dinner together at home.

By about 22h00 on 13 February 2013 we were in our bedroom. She was doing her yoga exercises and I was in bed watching television.

My prosthetic legs were off. We were deeply in love and I could not be happier. I know she felt the same way.

She had given me a present for Valentine’s Day but asked me only to open it the next day.

After Reeva finished her yoga exercises she got into bed and we both fell asleep.

I am acutely aware of violent crime being committed by intruders entering homes with a view to commit crime, including violent crime.

I have received death threats before. I have also been a victim of violence and of burglaries before.

For that reason I kept my firearm, a 9 mm Parabellum, underneath my bed when I went to bed at night.

During the early morning hours of 14 February 2013, I woke up, went onto the balcony to bring the fan in and closed the sliding doors, the blinds and the curtains.

I heard a noise in the bathroom and realised that someone was in the bathroom. I felt a sense of terror rushing over me.

There are no burglar bars across the bathroom window and I knew that contractors who worked at my house had left the ladders outside.

Although I did not have my prosthetic legs on I have mobility on my stumps. I believed that someone had entered my house.

I was too scared to switch a light on. I grabbed my 9mm pistol from underneath my bed.

On my way to the bathroom I screamed words to the effect for him/them to get out of my house and for Reeva to phone the police.

It was pitch dark in the bedroom and I thought Reeva was in bed.

I noticed that the bathroom window was open. I realised that the intruder/s was/were in the toilet because the toilet door was closed and I did not see anyone in the bathroom.

I heard movement inside the toilet. The toilet is inside the bathroom and has a separate door.

It filled me with horror and fear of an intruder or intruders being inside the toilet.

I thought he or they must have entered through the unprotected window.

As I did not have my prosthetic legs on and felt extremely vulnerable, I knew I had to protect Reeva and myself.

I believed that when the intruder/s came out of the toilet we would be in grave danger.

I felt trapped as my bedroom door was locked and I have limited mobility on my stumps.

I fired shots at the toilet door and shouted to Reeva to phone the police.

She did not respond and I moved backwards out of the bathroom, keeping my eyes on the bathroom entrance.

Everything was pitch dark in the bedroom and I was still too scared to switch on a light.

Reeva was not responding. When I reached the bed, I realised that Reeva was not in bed.

That is when it dawned on me that it could have been Reeva who was in the toilet.

I returned to the bathroom calling her name. I tried to open the toilet door but it was locked.

I rushed back into the bedroom and opened the sliding door exiting onto the balcony and screamed for help.

I put on my prosthetic legs, ran back to the bathroom and tried to kick the toilet door open.

I think I must then have turned on the lights.

I went back into the bedroom and grabbed my cricket bat to bash open the toilet door.

A panel or panels broke off and I found the key on the floor and unlocked and opened the door.

Reeva was slumped over but alive. I battled to get her out of the toilet and pulled her into the bathroom.

I phoned Johan Stander (“Stander”) who was involved in the administration of the estate and asked him to phone the ambulance. I phoned Netcare and asked for help.

I went downstairs to open the front door. I returned to the bathroom and picked Reeva up as I had been told not to wait for the paramedics, but to take her to hospital.

I carried her downstairs in order to take her to the hospital. On my way down Stander arrived.

A doctor who lives in the complex also arrived.

Downstairs, I tried to render the assistance to Reeva that I could, but she died in my arms.

I am absolutely mortified by the events and the devastating loss of my beloved Reeva.

With the benefit of hindsight I believe that Reeva went to the toilet when I went out on the balcony to bring the fan in

I cannot bear to think of the suffering I have caused her and her family, knowing how much she was loved.

I also know that the events of that tragic night were as I have described them and that in due course I have no doubt the police and expert investigators will bear this out.

I will stand my trial should it proceed against me. I am a well-known international athlete and there is no possibility that I will even think of not standing my trial should there be one.

I trust the South African legal system and that the facts will show that I did not murder Reeva.

I do not know the identity of any witness upon whom the State will rely in order to attempt to prove a case against me.

In any event, I have no intention to interfere with any witnesses as I have no cause to do so and I undertake not to do so.

I maintain good relationships with people and I bear no grudges against anyone.

As previously stated, I have no previous convictions and I have not been released on bail pending any charges. I am not disposed to violence.

I respectfully submit that the facts set out above support my contention that I do not constitute a flight risk.

I have two South African passports, the one is full.

I need my passport to compete overseas but I am willing to surrender the passports to the investigating officer should it be a condition of bail.

I am not in possession of any other travel documents and undertake not to apply for such documentation pending the finalisation of these proceedings.

After the shooting I did not attempt to flee. Rather, I accepted Stander would contact the police, and I remained at the scene.

I will be able to raise an appropriate amount to post as bail. I have no knowledge of any evidentiary material which may exist with regard to the allegations levelled against me.

In any event, I believe that whatever such evidence may be, it is in the possession of the police; it is safely secured and I do not have access thereto.

I undertake not to interfere with any further investigations.

I am not sure which witnesses the State will rely upon in order to attempt to prove its case against me. Nonetheless, I undertake not to communicate with any witness, whoever he or she may be, and any other persons whose names may appear on a list of “State witnesses”, to be provided by the State.

My continued incarceration can only prejudice me and creates no benefit to the State.

I respectfully submit that should I be released on bail, my release shall not disturb the public order or undermine the proper functioning of the criminal justice system.

I will comply with such conditions as the above Honourable Court may wish to impose.

I accordingly submit that the interests of justice, considerations of prejudice and the balancing of respective interests favour my release on bail.
.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 04:26 PM
it's probably more awful if that story is true.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 05:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Triumph36
it's probably more awful if that story is true.
+1..

If true, what's the over/under on how long till he kills himself?
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 05:19 PM
He knows his story is absurd and a regular joe would be convicted like 100% of the time, however he's banking on his celebrity and sympathy for being a stump that the jury randomly decides to let him go despite all the evidence, ala OJ.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 05:53 PM
yeah wow.

I mean, I don't believe it. but crafting that story, along with being a stump, along with being a good-looking internationally known athlete, that's about the best set up he could hope for.

if true, yikes.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 05:58 PM
No jury trials in SA afaik.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 06:01 PM
lol @ firing shots blindly into your bathroom door while knowing your gf is in the house but not confirming her location first

enjoy prison, oscar
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 06:03 PM
I hope they tack on illegal possession of the steroids (if true) just to really get the max possible.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 06:15 PM
I mean, on the other hand...if he was intending to murder his gf, shouldn't he have, you know, removed his stockpiles of steroids first?
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 06:16 PM
Quote:
Criminal trials in South Africa don’t have juries. All cases are tried in front of professional magistrates or judges who weigh arguments and pronounce sentences. They also are the ones responsible for handing down sentences.

The Guardian explains the thinking: “The jury system was done away with altogether in 1969. The thinking is that judges are trained to put aside their prejudices and decide cases on the basis of the evidence before them and the law. Unlike juries, they also have to give reasons for their decisions. A real risk of substantial prejudice to the administration of justice is therefore much, much lower when there is no jury.”
Not sure if this is better or worse than a jury. You gotta figure on average the judges are probably way more competent than the average juror, however it also is probably more ripe for fraud and bribery and stuff.

Regardless, if they let him go after that insane story, they might as well just say you can kill anyone you want to in South Africa as long as nobody else is around and then make up whatever bogus story you want to afterwards.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 06:27 PM
you guys don't really have any evidence. i mean, is he probably guilty? yeah - that story sounds very unlikely. but it could be that that's what happened.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 06:48 PM
If you take all media speculation (the bat, fracture, drugs etc) out of the equation and only consider that which has been discussed in court, the idea that he thought he was shooting at an intruder is not implausible.

Of course the mind immediately leaps to 'why didn't you confirm that it wasn't your girlfriend' but he did state that it was pitch black and I would imagine that innumerable tragedies have their foundations in small moments of madness.

If in fact he is 'innocent', this is beyond a nightmare.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 06:54 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by blayney87
If you take all media speculation (the bat, fracture, drugs etc) out of the equation and only consider that which has been discussed in court, the idea that he thought he was shooting at an intruder is not implausible.

Of course the mind immediately leaps to 'why didn't you confirm that it wasn't your girlfriend' but he did state that it was pitch black and I would imagine that innumerable tragedies have their foundations in small moments of madness.

If in fact he is 'innocent', this is beyond a nightmare.
No it is implausible. He stated that he yelled for the intruder to leave the house and for his gf to call the cops before he shot. It is not plausible that if he did this, she would not have responded by letting him know she's in the bathroom. His statement on its face is implausible - even ignoring the other evidence.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 06:56 PM
Even if his account is true I think just shooting through the door is extremely irresponsible and would be illegal in many places.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 07:10 PM
all this could've been avoided if he had a good loyal guard dog.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 07:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Holliday
I mean, on the other hand...if he was intending to murder his gf, shouldn't he have, you know, removed his stockpiles of steroids first?
Adding this to my next draft



-defense attorney
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 07:28 PM
A few things; grunching:

1. The story is highly implausible, but not clearly untrue on its face. Self-defense is a highly fact-dependent inquiry and if everything he alleges is true, then he may not be guilty BaRD of murder/attempted murder.

2. That said, the fact he made no inquiry as to who was in the bathroom when it very easily could have been his gf (who we know was in the bedroom) could render his decision to shoot not objectively reasonable and negate his defense. But not necessarily. It's not per se unreasonable to not inquire who's in a room if one believes that other circumstances (the ladder leaned against the building; etc) led one to reasonably believe that an intruder was in the house and that inquiring put him and his gf (who he still thinks is in bed) in imminent danger.

3. On that point, I'd like to know how dark this room is, and, more to the point, how dark it is and what sightline he has to the bed from returning with the fan retrieved from outside. Presumably, artificial and natural light would illuminate the room before he closed the sliding door.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote
02-19-2013 , 07:30 PM
His defense is pretty lotz. Pitch black so I couldn't see the bed? How many bedrooms are actually pitch black. I guess he has no legs so can't see over the bed....so he pulls out his gun, puts on his legs and not once looked over at the bed and seen someone sleeping in their. Yeah, ok, sure whatever.

Also, if this bloody bat rings true then he is uber screwed. Also the prosocution said that the door was locked. So, how many burgulars would lock the bathroom door and stay there after being found out instead of bolting back to the window and running away.
The Curious Case of Oscar Pistorius: Time Runs Out. Oscar to Walk Free Quote

      
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