South African Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius has arrived at court in Pretoria to learn his fate today, where the judge in his murder trial will deliver her verdict, more than 18 months after he allegedly shot and killed his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
In the case that has gripped the world, the double-amputee athlete – dubbed the Blade Runner – has pleaded not guilty to the premeditated murder of his 29-year-old girlfriend at his house on Valentine’s Day last year. He is also charged with two counts of shooting a firearm in public and the illegal possession of ammunition.
The 27-year-old champion sportsman, who has always maintained his innocence, claims that he mistook Ms Steenkamp for an intruder and accidently shot her through a toilet door in self-defence.
Meanwhile, the state argued that Oscar was a jealous boyfriend with a gun obsession and deliberately gunned down his glamorous girlfriend in a fit of rage after a heated argument.
If convicted, the former South African golden boy could face life in prison.
Judge Thokosile Masipa is due to deliver her verdict sometime after 5.30pm in front of a packed court room.
The entire court proceedings will be broadcast around the world for the first time in South Africa’s history.
