Monday, March 3, 2014

Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial Begins; Faces 25 Years In Jail [PHOTOS]

    Accused: Pistorius claims he accidentally shot Miss Steenkamp (pictured) after mistaking her for a burglar
Pistorius formally pleaded not guilty to murdering Miss Steenkamp after walking past the victim's mother who said she wanted to 'really look him in the eyes' for the very first time.
The double amputee responded 'not guilty, my lady' after a state prosecutor read out a charge that he 'unlawfully and intentionally did kill' his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year.
The court was then read a statement from the Paralympian in which he claimed he had mistakenly thought there was an intruder in his home, leading him to open fire in an attempt to protect himself.
The statement, read by his defence lawyer while the athlete remained standing, said the scene had been contaminated and disturbed.
In it, the Paralympian said he did not intend to kill his then girlfriend that night and they had not argued that night.
He said: 'I deny this allegation in the strongest terms because there was no argument. The allegation that I wanted to shoot (or kill) Reeva cannot be further from the truth.See more pics after cut..

   Face to face for the first time: Oscar Pistorius takes his seat in the courtroom for the start of his murder trial as Reeva Steenkamp's mother (second right) looks on
   Tense: Pistorius took his seat, wearing a dark suit and black tie, without looking in June Steenkamp's direction
   The amputee takes a drink of water as he waits for the start of the trial which was delayed by nearly two hours
   Denies charge: Pistorius speaks to his lawyer Barry Roux before formally pleading not guilty to murder
    Emotional: June Steenkamp (left) shows the strain of her very first encounter with Pistorius as she waits for the start of his trial. She says she will be ready to forgive him whatever verdict is handed down
    Loyal support: Oscar Pistorius's brother Carl, sister Aimee and aunt Lois are joined by other family members prior to the start of his trial
    Emotional: People stand around a newspaper poster quoting Miss Steenkamp's mother June who said: 'I want to look into Oscar's eyes' when she attends the trial
    High stakes: If convicted of murder, Pistorius could be jailed for at least 25 years before the chance of parole

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