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Oscar Pistorius formally charged with girlfriend's murder

Written by . Published: August 19 2013

South African superstar sprinter Oscar Pistorius appeared in court on Monday (19Aug13) to be formally charged with the murder of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on what would be have been her 30th birthday.


The Paralympian fatally shot Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria in February (13) but insists he mistook her for an intruder and did not mean to kill her.


Pistorius was back at Pretoria Magistrates' Court on Monday as prosecutors officially charged him with premeditated murder, and the day was particularly poignant for Steenkamp's family as she would have turned 30 on 19 August (13).


The star was seen wiping back tears as the formal indictment was presented to the judge, who set a trial date for 3 March (13). The case will now be transferred to the country's high court, while Pistorius remains free on bail.


He is also facing a weapons charge relating to the incident at his home on the night of Steenkamp's death.

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