Pistorius granted bail
Posted Feb 22, 2013 10:42:50 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Family members and supporters shouted “Yes!” when a South African judge announced he was granting Oscar Pistorius bail.
The decision paves the way for the double-amputee Olympic athlete to be freed from custody pending his trial in the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair made his decision after a nearly two-hour explanation of his ruling.
Nair set bail at one-million rand — about 115-thousand dollars.
He also says Pistorius must hand over his passports, turn in any other guns that he owns and cannot leave the district of Pretoria without the permission of his probation officer.
The magistrate also ruled the athlete could not return to his home, where Steenkamp was shot to death on Valentine’s Day.
Pistorius says he shot her accidentally — believing she was an intruder in the bathroom.
Prosecutors argue he intended to kill Steenkamp, saying the shooting followed a loud argument between the two.
Pistorius’s next court appearance is set for June 4th.
