South African Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius, known as the “Blade Runner”, was planning a future with the girlfriend he is accused of shooting dead this week, his uncle said on Saturday.
Pistorius, 26, one of the world’s most recognizable athletes, was charged on Friday with murdering swimsuit model and law graduate Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of the previous day.
He broke down during a 40-minute bail hearing at a Pretoria court but was not asked to enter a plea.
“They had plans together and Oscar was happier in his private life than he had been for a long time,” Anthony Pistorius said in a statement released by his nephew’s agent.
“We are in a state of total shock – firstly about the tragic death of Reeva who we had all got to know well and care for deeply over the last few months,” he said.
“All of us saw at first hand how close she had become to Oscar during that time and how happy they were.”
The suggestion that Pistorius’ family was close to Steenkamp runs counter to comments from Pistorius’ father, Henke, who told the New York Times he had never met his son’s partner.
“I don’t discuss my son’s relationships. I have, in fact, not met the lady,” he was quoted as saying.
Prosecutors alleged the shooting was premeditated, a charge that could put Pistorius behind bars for life if convicted.
Police have said there are no other suspects and the pair were the only people in the house at the time. Initial reports suggested he may have mistaken her for an intruder.
Anthony Pistorius reiterated the family’s belief that the track star – a double amputee who became one of the biggest names in world athletics when he ran at last year’s Olympics – had not shot Steenkamp deliberately.
“After consulting with legal representatives we deeply regret the allegation of premeditated murder,” Anthony said.
“We have no doubt there is no substance to the allegation and that the state’s own case, including its own forensic evidence, strongly refutes any possibility of a premeditated murder or indeed any murder at all.”
Pistorius is being held in a Pretoria police station before the resumption of his bail hearing on Tuesday. He is “numb” with shock and grief, the statement said.
Reuters
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