[Omah]

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/n...storius-report

The Italian town of Gemona where South African murder-accused Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius used to train has frozen a sponsorship deal with him, a report revealed on Sunday.

Town mayor Paolo Urbani told City Press that a decision to suspend his contract was taken after the athlete was arrested for the alleged murder of his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day.

In November, the town signed a five-year sponsorship deal with him, worth 15,000 euros ($19,500) per year, the newspaper said.

"The contract with Oscar is suspended. We are not in a hurry to find a new ambassador," Urbani told City Press.

Pistorius was in 2011 appointed by the town as ambassador for its sport programme.

He was to train in Gemona for four months a year under the sponsorship deal, which also covered his accommodation and other expenses.

The town was his training base during the 2011 and 2012 European summers.

This sponsorship might only be small potatoes compared to the Nike deal but its loss is a blow to Pistorius' "reputation".

[Omah]

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...les-20130226-2

Johannesburg - Even if Oscar Pistorius is acquitted of murder, firearms and legal experts in South Africa believe that, by his own account, the star athlete violated basic gun-handling regulations and exposed himself to a homicide charge by shooting into a closed door without knowing who was behind it.

Particularly jarring for firearms instructors and legal experts is that Pistorius testified that he shot at a closed toilet door, fearing but not knowing for certain that a night time intruder was on the other side.

South Africa has stringent laws regulating the use of lethal force for self-protection.

In order to get a permit to own a firearm, applicants must not only know those rules, but must demonstrate proficiency with the weapon and knowledge of its safe handling, making it far tougher to legally own a gun in South Africa than many other countries where a mere background check suffices.

Pistorius took such a competency test for his 9mm pistol and passed it, according to the police's National Firearms Centre.

Pistorius's license for the 9mm pistol was issued in September 2010. The Olympic athlete and Paralympic medallist should have known that firing blindly, instead of at a clearly identified target, violates basic gun-handling rules, firearms and legal experts said.

"You can't shoot through a closed door," said Andre Pretorius, president of the Professional Firearm Trainers Council, a regulatory body for South African firearms instructors.

"People who own guns and have been through the training, they know that shooting through a door is not going to go through South African law as an accident."

"There is no situation in South Africa that allows a person to shoot at a threat that is not identified," Pretorius added.

"Firing multiple shots, it makes it that much worse. ...It could have been a minor - a 15-year-old kid, a 12-year-old kid - breaking in to get food."

In an affidavit to the magistrate who last Friday freed him on bail, Pistorius said he believed an intruder or intruders had got into his two-storey house, in a guarded and gated community with walls topped by electrified fencing, and were inside the toilet cubicle in his bathroom.

Criminal law experts said that even if the prosecution fails to prove premeditated murder, firing several shots through a closed door could bring a conviction for the lesser but still serious charge of culpable homicide.

Johannesburg attorney Martin Hood, who specialises in firearm law, said South African legislation allows gun owners to use lethal force only if they believe they are facing an immediate, serious and direct attack or threat of attack that could either be deadly or cause grievous injury.

According to Pistorius's own sworn statement read in court, he "did not meet those criteria", said Hood, who is also the spokesperson for the South African Gun Owners' Association.

"If he fired through a closed door, there was no threat to him. It's as simple as that," he added. "He can't prove an attack on his life ... In my opinion, at the very least, he is guilty of culpable homicide."

[Omah]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-n...ury-56-1741330

Oscar Pistorius and his family shared 56 guns between just six of them, it has been revealed.

The Blade Runner was licensed to have one gun when he shot dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp but had asked for licences for six more, including a Smith & Wesson 500 Magnum, which its makers call “the most powerful production revolver in the world”.

Records in South Africa show the Paralympic gold medallist’s 95-year-old grandfather Henry has 10 guns while his dad Henke, 59, owns four.

Uncle Arnold, 62, whose Pretoria home is where Pistorius, 26, is staying on bail on a charge of murder, owns 10.

Two other uncles, Leo, 51, and Theo, 67, have 31 between them.

[lostalex]

Abusive men are like rabid dogs. The most humane thing to do is to just put them down. It's foolish to try to help them. They cannot be changed.

[Omah]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...-and-guns.html

The family of Oscar Pistorius, the Paralympian accused of shooting his girlfriend dead on St Valentine's Day, have distanced themselves from comments by his father Henke that the family had to arm themselves because South Africa's ANC government had failed to tackle rampant crime.

Henke Pistorius told The Telegraph on Sunday that he and other members of his family owned a total of 56 guns because they could not rely on the police to protect them against criminals. He laid the blame for South Africa's violent crime rates, which are among the highest in the world with 15,000 people murdered last year, on the ANC-led state.

"It speaks to the ANC government, look at white crime levels, why protection is so poor in this country, it's an aspect of our society," he said. "You can't rely on the police, not because they are inefficient always but because crime is so rife."

But Arnold Pistorius, Henke's brother and Oscar's uncle, said the family as a whole was "deeply concerned" by the remarks, and strongly refuted the suggestion they blamed the ANC government for crime against white South Africans in particular.

He said that contrary to Mr Pistorius' claim, the family owned firearms "purely for sport and hunting purposes".

"Oscar Pistorius' family is deepy concerned about the comments made by Oscar's father, Henke Pistorius, to the Telegraph about the family using its weapons to defend themselves against crime in South Africa, and especially about his comments that the ANC government is not willing to protect white South Africans," he said in a statement released through the family's official PR machine, run by former Sun editor Stuart Higgins.

"Oscar and the rest of the Pistorius family distances itself from the comments. Henke's interview with the newspaper was unapproved by our media liaison team. The comments don't represent the views of Oscar or the rest of the Pistorius family."

Following the statement by the Pistorius family, the ANC's national spokesman Jackson Mthembu issued one of their own, labelling Henke Pistorius as "racist" and accusing him of seeking to "politicise" a "tragic incident".

"The African National Congress rejects with contempt the accusation made by Henke Pistorius (the father to Oscar Pistorius) to a UK newspaper that 'the ANC government is not willing to protect white South Africans'," Mr Mthembu said.

"Not only is this statement devoid of truth, it is also racist. It is sad that he has chosen to politicise a tragic incident that is still fresh in the minds of those affected and the public. This tragic incident has affected two families that are still trying to come to terms with what happened and this latest racist slur is not assisting these families. We think it is ill-advisable for anyone to start apportioning undue blame."

Mr Mthembu said the entire issue should be left to the courts. Mr Pistorius is next due to appear at Pretoria Magistrates Court in June ahead of an eventual trial expected later this year.

"The ANC believes that the Pistorius and Steenkamp matter is in the capable hands of our competent courts who are expected to handle the matter objectively and in accordance with our laws," he said. "Any speculation can only prejudice the case.

"We welcome the statement of the Pistorius family that distances Oscar and his family from the statement made by Henke Pistorius. The ANC believes that this is a difficult period that both families are going through. We call on South Africans to desist from wild and prejudiced speculation. Let us give our courts a chance to deal with this matter."

While Henke Pistorius sat behind his son throughout his four-day bail hearing at Pretoria magistrate's court last month, frequently touching him on the shoulder when he broke down in tears, he is understood to have been estranged from the athlete and his siblings at times in their life. He and Mr Pistorius' mother are believed to have separated before she died when Oscar Pistorius was 15.

Call for Reputation Management !

[Suze]

I began to take and interest in the news items on all this, but I just feel he is now going to walk away scott free from it all no matter whether an accident or not, Guilty of murder or not.

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Suze

I began to take and interest in the news items on all this, but I just feel he is now going to walk away scott free from it all no matter whether an accident or not, Guilty of murder or not.

Yeah, Reputation Management have got everything under control .....

[Omah]

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headline...-in-the-trial/

Oscar Pistorius‘ luxury home in Eastern Pretoria, where he allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, may be used as evidence against him when his trial on charges of premeditated murder start, ABC News has learned.

Crime scene cleaners say they have been informed by the South African Police Service that no one will be allowed into the house as it will remain a crime scene up until the hearing starts.

Eileen De Jager, owner of a private company, Crime Scene Clean-Ups, said police have told her that the trial judge and other court officials may want to visit the house to clear up any misunderstandings that might arise when the case is heard.

Police officials refused to confirm or deny that, saying it might jeopardize their case if they show their cards now.

They have, however denied claims by Pistorius’ private forensic team that they’re being prevented from examining the door through which Pistorius allegedly shot Steenkamp.

Steenkamp and Pistorius’ cellphones will play a central role when the trial starts. Forensic experts will also use data collected from the scene to reconstruct the events that played out in the early hours of Valentine’s day.

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21705374

Hilton Botha, the former lead detective in the Oscar Pistorius inquiry, has resigned, South African police confirm.

Det Botha was dropped from the investigation in February after it emerged that he was facing attempted murder charges in another case.

He has also been heavily criticised for giving contradictory evidence at the bail hearing of Mr Pistorius.

Not surprising if the prosecutors want a proper job done .....

[Omah]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...s-8527228.html

Paralympian Oscar Pistorius will fight the stringent bail conditions set after he was charged with murdering his girlfriend, his defence team says.

The athlete’s defence team has confirmed that they lodged papers at the North Gauteng High Court today to modify the restrictions imposed by a lower court, but refused to give details.

Local television station eNCA, which reported the application, described several modifications to Pistorius’ bail conditions that the athlete’s defence team is hoping a judge will agree to.

The original restrictions include supervision by a probation officer, alongside compulsory drug and alcohol testing. Magistrate Desmond Nair also imposed travel restrictions, both within and beyond South Africa’s borders, prohibiting Pistorius from returning to the his Silver Woods estate home where the shooting took place. Nair expressed concerns that Pistorius would interfere with potential witnesses – and the investigation.

Pistorius reportedly wants all of these conditions relaxed, claiming they are unwarranted and unfair. eNCA reported that the Paralympian wants to be able to travel abroad with police permission, given that during his bail application Magistrate Nair found that he was not a proven flight risk, sparking speculation that he may want to re-enter the competitive athletic circuit.

No doubt that he "wants his life back", something not available to Reeve Steenkamp, the woman he killed less than a month ago .....

[Omah]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...s-himself.html

Hilton Botha, the police officer ridiculed after bungling the initial investigation into the case against Oscar Pistorius, has said he was put under unfair pressure because South Africa's police service failed to provide enough resources to the high-profile case.

Mr Botha announced on Thursday that he was leaving the force to work as the head of security for a Pretoria construction firm, just weeks after he was removed from the case following a lacklustre performance in the witness box at Pistorius' bail hearing. It also emerged that he faced trial on manslaughter charges himself for shooting at a minibus while on duty.

Mr Botha told South Africa's Times newspaper that he was confident he had done a good job on the Pistorius case despite his performance in court, and that Pistorius, 26, was guilty of the premeditated murder he has now been charged with.

But he lamented the fact that it took his sacking to prompt South Africa's police commissioner to place senior staff on the case - one of the biggest in the country's legal history.

"Right from the beginning they knew how serious and high-profile this case was," he was quoted as saying. "They could have helped a lot earlier than they did. Having a senior general on the case would have seen things being done and reports completed a lot sooner. I don't need this in my life. If I can get out of it I am going to."

Why would "a Pretoria construction firm" appoint a bungling detective and alleged killer as "the head of security" .....

[Omah]

http://www.espn.co.uk/athletics/spor...GeCQZbh6bbb.99

Oscar Pistorius is "on the verge of suicide" as he struggles to deal with his impending murder trial, according to a close friend of the South African runner.

Pistorius, 26, is currently on bail - as he prepares to stand trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, after she was shot dead in the bathroom of his house in February.

Pistorius, who maintains that he believed Steenkamp was an intruder and shot her by mistake, will next appear in court on June 4.

A close friend of the Olympian, Mike Azzie, is worried Pistorius is increasingly struggling to cope with his current circumstances - as he sells off his assets in order to pay for the spiralling legal fees involved with his case.

Speaking to documentary makers, for a programme set to air on BBC3 on Monday, Azzie described Pistorius as "a broken man".

"I would say that, just speaking to him, that he is a broken man and that I would go as far to say that he would be on the verge of suicide. It really worries me."

I wonder what this "documentary" will be about .....

Maybe some "spin" from VRM .....

[Suze]

I thought he came from money, his family aren't too badly off, so why is he having to sell assets? Surely he himself must have quite a bit of savings stashed away by now?

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Suze

I thought he came from money, his family aren't too badly off, so why is he having to sell assets? Surely he himself must have quite a bit of savings stashed away by now?

because buying your innocence ain't cheap, even in South Africa.

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Suze

I thought he came from money, his family aren't too badly off, so why is he having to sell assets? Surely he himself must have quite a bit of savings stashed away by now?

If Pistorius has already run into financial trouble over legal costs (allegedly Ł200k so far) then he was ill-advised to take on a highly expensive legal team for a case which will last weeks, maybe months .....

His main source of income, his "career", has now been curtailed, probably for ever, even if he "gets off", for no sponsor would want to be associated with a self-confessed "ladykiller" .....

[Omah]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/oth...trictions.html

Lawyers for Oscar Pistorius have filed an appeal in a South African court against bail restrictions imposed on the Olympian, who is charged with murdering his girlfriend, according to papers released by the Pistorius family on Monday.

'The conditions appealed against are unwarranted and not substantiated by the facts,' said the appeal, which was filed Friday in Pretoria, the South African capital.

The appeal reflected the robust defense strategy of lawyers for Pistorius, who has been staying at his uncle Arnold's home in a Pretoria suburb since he was released on bail on Feb. 22.

It is a delicate balance because the Pistorius family has also sought to keep a low profile, expressing sorrow for the death of Reeva Steenkamp.

The appeal was prepared by Ramsay Webber, a legal firm based in Johannesburg.

In the papers, lawyers for the double-amputee athlete argued against the requirement that he surrender all passports and travel documents, and refrain from applying for such documents pending the end of his case.

The lawyers said evidence presented at the athlete's bail hearing showed he is not a flight risk and should have the option of traveling outside South Africa as long as he has official permission.

The appeal also said there was 'no basis in fact or in law' justifying terms under which Pistorius must be supervised by a probation officer and a correctional official.

The appeal against the bail conditions also objected to the requirement that Pistorius refrain from using alcohol or any banned substance, even though he had no intention of doing so.

'The mere use of any substance with alcohol in it will give rise to a transgression of the wide condition imposed,' the appeal said.

In addition, the runner should be allowed access to the property at Silverwoods Country Estate where he shot Steenkamp, once the state completes its investigations there within a 'reasonable time limit,' according to Pistorius' legal camp.

A killer who wants to have his cake and eat it, too .....

[Suze]

You have got to be joking, of course he is a risk of fleeing, surely anyone would be in that situation, I hope thast request is denied. They are on cloud cuckoo land.

[Omah]

BBC3 9:00 PM, Monday 11th March 2013

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ally_Happened/

Police say the death of Reeva Steenkamp was premeditated murder. The accused, her boyfriend Oscar Pistorius, says it was an innocent accident. A documentary team has been in Pretoria, South Africa, digging deeper into a death that shocked the world.

Presented by Rick Edwards, who covered Pistorius's gold-medal winning, world record-breaking achievements at the London 2012 Paralympics, the programme features interviews with friends of both the victim and the accused. Aged 26, Oscar Pistorius is the poster boy of the Paralympics movement - his prosthetic lower legs have given him the nickname Blade Runner. So fast and powerful, he became the first the first double leg amputee to participate in the Olympics, competing in the 400m and 4x400m relay.

But since that glorious summer, reports have emerged of a different side of Oscar Pistorius - involved in brawls and late night fracas. Observers note that when setting bail, the judge made it conditional that until he returns to court in June, Pistorius must not consume alcohol and will be randomly tested to ensure he complies.

Featuring special 3-D graphics, sworn testimony and exclusive interviews, the film attempts to give the most complete picture yet of what may have happened in Oscar Pistorius's apartment in the early hours of February 14th.

Duration 60 minutes

[Suze]

I'm a bit tempted to watch that, but am thinking that won't come away from watching that any the wiser than we have been from the media reporting.

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Suze

I'm a bit tempted to watch that, but am thinking that won't come away from watching that any the wiser than we have been from the media reporting.

Yeah, it'll probably be a (sympathetic) summary of events so far ..... anything specific to the court case will be held in reserve.

[Omah]

Well, the "documentary" wasn't as slanted as I thought it would be.

There was, obviously, nothing "new", but watching video of locations and people involved put reports of the killing into context.

The implication of the presentation was that Reeva was flawless and Pistorius wasn't.

2 points stuck in my mind - Reeva took her mobile phone into the toilet with her (why?) and Pistorius' statement of his version of events cannot be changed without seriously damaging the credibility of his defence.

[Omah]

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013...n_2856010.html

There can be no doubt, the change in Pistorius' fortunes over the last six months has been dramatic - from Paralympics poster boy to murder suspect currently on bail. What this programme revealed was how victim Reeva Steenkamp could match him for glamour, and how their partnership delighted tabloid editors across South Africa.

And while the headlines during the trial have detailed every eyebrow twitch of the athlete and his family, this programme helped balance the account by focusing on the victim of the tragedy. 2012 had been Reeva's breakout year. She'd impressed viewers of 'Fantasy Island' reality show with bubbly enthusiasm, and cheered her friends with kindness. There were no bad words to be heard, and it was moving hearing the pretty model speak to camera about how one should make one's exit from this world - "in a positive way".

Weaker was the account of what actually happened on the night of Valentine's Day, when Steenkamp was shot by Pistorius, either deliberately or accidentally, depending on whom you listen to.

Nevertheless, this programme had lots of colourful footage to complement the striking but still images we've had from the courtroom thus far, and the television hour fulfilled what it promised on the tin - simply asked the question again: What did really happen?

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Omah

Well, the "documentary" wasn't as slanted as I thought it would be.

There was, obviously, nothing "new", but watching video of locations and people involved put reports of the killing into context.

The implication of the presentation was that Reeva was flawless and Pistorius wasn't.

2 points stuck in my mind - Reeva took her mobile phone into the toilet with her (why?) and Pistorius' statement of his version of events cannot be changed without seriously damaging the credibility of his defence.

Is that the case for the prosecution?

PMSL he will walk (ooops wrong words maybe?)

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Is that the case for the prosecution?

No.

[Omah]

Reeva met ex-boyfriend for coffee 2 days before she was shot dead by Pistorius

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-n...enkamp-1757025

Reeva Steenkamp met an ex-boyfriend shortly before she was killed by lover Oscar Pistorius – who kept phoning her as they chatted.

The 29-year-old model dated vegetable exporter Warren Lahoud, 27, for five years and never lost touch, it was revealed today.

Mr Lahoud asked about the phone interruptions as the pair drank a coffee two days before the Valentine’s Day killing.

He said: “I said, ‘Is everything ok? I mean he’s phoned twice already, every 20 minutes’.

"I asked her that question. She said, ‘there’s nothing wrong’.”

He added: “She didn’t seem unhappy. She always said that she wouldn’t be with anybody who she felt unhappy with.

“Reeva had a beautiful loving heart, she gave everything, and was friendly to everyone. She really made you feel good and welcome.”