Judge allows Pistorius to post bail
Olympian Oscar Pistorius was granted bail Friday by a judge in Pretoria, South Africa, who ruled that there was not enough evidence to consider him a flight risk.
South African magistrate Desmond Nair allowed Pistorius to be released in the shooting death of his girlfriend, model and law-school graduate Reeva Steenkamp, on Feb. 14. The decision, which brought cheers of "Yes" from Pistorius' family in court. was handed down after two hours of arguments from the defense and prosecution.
Bail was set at $1 million rand, or $113,000. His next court date is scheduled for June 4.
Pistorius, 26, is charged with one count of premeditated murder. He has contended that he accidentally shot Steenkamp in the bathroom off his bedroom at his home, thinking that an intruder had entered the house.
"The issue is not guilt but whether the interests of justice (are served) in relation to bail," Nair said. "I am not seized with finding beyond reasonable doubt whether he committed premeditated murder...At this stage, I have to examine the facts the state has presented. ll the state has right now is circumstantial evidence."
The prosecution argued against bail while the defense raised the possibility of culpable homicide in answering questions from Nair. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel called Pistorius' claim that the shooting was an accident improbable.
Pistorius, who gained worldwide fame competing on the track in the 2012 London Olympics as a double amputee in the 400 meters, wept in the Magistrate's Court and his hands visibly shook.
His attorney, Barry Roux, argued that Pistorius' fame would make it impossible for him to leave South Africa before the trial.
"He did not want to kill Reeva. He had no intent to kill Reeva," Roux said.
