Oscar Pistorus murder trial: His affidavit in full
THE OSCAR Pistorus Murder story is tabloid manna. Was the fabled double-amputee running champion no cartoon Zebedee made human, rather a baser, more Earth-bound man who murdered his lover, Reeve Steemkamp? Did he really shoot though a shut door not knowing who was on the other side, shocked to the core when returning to his bed – from where he had retrieved his gun (he kept his 9mm pistol under it) – to find his lover gone?
When he heard noises from inside the bathroom, didn’t he think it was his lover might be taking a midnight leak? Didn’t he tap the bed next to him and search out his lover? He didn’t switch the lights on. He fired. Then, realising Reeva was missing from the bed, he picked up a cricket bat and smashed in the locked bathroom door. He carried the dying woman downstairs in his arms.
This is what his lawyer told Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday February 19, 2013 (it will be updated when the official version is made available):
I am an adult male, SA citizen and applicant in this application and seek to be released on bail.
I make this affadavit of my own free will and have not been influenced. Contents is true and correct.
I fail to understand how I could be charged with murder, let alone premeditated murder because I had no intention to kill my girlfriend.
I have been informed I have been acused of murder – I deny the accusation.
Nothing can be further from the truth that I planned the murder of my girlfriend.
I have no intention to relocate as I love my country.
I earn R5.6m a year. I’ve never been convicted of crimes.
I deny that I committed murder in the strongest point. Even though I don’t have to, I want to deal with these allegations.
Reeva had bought me a present for Valentine’s Day. We were deeply in love.
We were deeply in love and couldn’t be happier. I loved her and I know she felt the same way.
On 13 Feb Reeva would have gone out with her friends, me with mine. She wanted to stay at home.
By about 22h00 we were in my bedroom. I was watching TV. My legs were off. She was doing yoga. At the end of the evening we got into bed.
I’m accutely aware of people gaining entries to homes to commit crime, I’ve received death threats.
I sleep with my 9mm under my bed. I woke up to close the sliding door and heard a noise in the bathroom.
I was scared and didn’t switch on the light. I got my gun and moved towards the bathroom. I screamed at the intruder because I did not have my legs on I felt vulnerable. I fired shots through the bathroom door and told Reeva to call police.
I walked back to the bed and realised Reeva was not in bed. It’s then it dawned on me it could be her in there.
I rushed back into the bedroom and opened the sliding door onto the balcony and screamed for help.
I put on my prosthetic legs, ran back to the bathroom and tried to kick open the toilet door.
I think I must have then turned on the lights.
I went back into my bedroom and grabbed my cricket bat to bash open the toilet door.
I called paramedics and complex security. I tried to carry her down stairs for help.
I tried to help her but she died in my arms. I am mortified.
With the benefit of hindsight I realise that Reeva went to the bathroom when I went to close the balcony door.
I trust the South African legal system and the facts will show that I did not murder Reeva.
I believe the forensic evidence will prove what I am saying. I used a cricket bat to break open toilet door.
I am an international sports star, I will not evade my trial.
After the shooting I did not flee the scene. I remained until the police arrived.
I dont know of any witnesses in this matter, and I won’t interfere with any witnesses.
My continued incarceration will be of “no benefit” to the state. Release would not disturb the public order.
The prosecution wants him sent down for premeditated murder. The defence says it was terrible accident.
The only fact we know for certain is that a young woman was shot dead.
Such are the facts.
Photo: A woman holds a photo of Reeva Steenkamp, as she leaves her funeral, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013.
Posted: 20th, February 2013 | In: Key Posts, Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
