Famed South African track star Oscar Pistorius has pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder.
“Do you understand the charges against you?
“I do.”
“How do you plead?”
“Not guilty.” (Via BBC)
Pistorius is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. She was shot three times through a bathroom door at his home on Valentine's Day last year. (Via CBS )
Pistorius says he thought Steenkamp was still asleep when he mistook her for an intruder, but the prosecution says he killed her in cold blood after an argument that night.
Prosecutors plan to call more than 100 witnesses during three week-long trial. A neighbor called to the stand Monday testified she heard "blood curdling" screams the night Steenkamp was shot. (Via ENCA)
"She says she heard four shots, and they went like this, bang, pause, bang, bang, bang." (Via CNN)
The prosecution is also expected to present forensic evidence of the crime scene — including the angle of the bullets and the autopsy — in an attempt to undermine Pistorius’ version of events. His legal team says police contaminated the crime scene. (Via ABC)
South African media have billed the trial — parts of which are being broadcast live — the "Trial of the Century." A 24 hour cable channel has been launched solely to cover it. (Via Sky News)
Dubbed the “Blade Runner,” Pistorius made history in 2012 when he became the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics. (Via SNTV)
Pistorius also pleaded not guilty to the charge of violating South African firearms law. If convicted with premeditated murder, Pistorius faces life in prison.
