PISTORIUS PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO MURDER
ACCUSED OF KILLING GIRLFRIEND; TRIAL BROADCAST LIVE
Paralympian star Oscar Pistorius pleaded not guilty Monday to murdering his girlfriend as his trial opened with a neighbour’s account of “bloodcurdling” screams before shots rang out on the night of the killing.
After a state prosecutor charged that Pistorius “unlawfully and intentionally did kill” Steenkamp, he entered a plea of “not guilty, my lady”. Pistorius, 27, a double amputee sporting hero known as the “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fibre running blades, also pleaded not guilty to three unrelated gun charges.
A single judge, Thokozile Masipa, is presiding in the case that has been likened to the murder trial of American footballer OJ Simpson over the killing of his ex-wife and a friend in 1995.
Pistorius admitted killing Steenkamp, but denied murderous intent. “We were in a loving relationship,” he said.
The first prosecution witness to take the stand, Michelle Burger, said she and her husband were awoken at around 3 am by “bloodcurdling screams” coming from the Pistorius home.
“She screamed terribly and she yelled for help,” the university economist said. “Just after her screams, I heard shots, four shots,” she said.
Monday marked the first time the victim’s mother June came face-to-face with Pistorius since the killing.
“I want to really look Oscar in the eyes, and see for myself the truth about what he did to Reeva,” she said later. The trial was adjourned until Tuesday.