Olympian Oscar Pistorius stands following his bail hearing in Pretoria, South Africa, on Tuesday. (Photo: AP) Olympic and Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius shot and killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp after attaching his prosthetic legs and walking seven meters (about eight yards) to the bathroom where she was hiding after an argument, prosecutors in South Africa argued Tuesday. At Tuesday's bail hearing, Pistorius disputed the prosecution's claims, saying he believed Steenkamp was a burglar when he shot and killed her. It was the first time Pistorius has provided his side of the story since the night his girlfriend of three months was killed. Steenkamp, 29, was a model and a law school graduate who died at Pistorius' home in Pretoria on Valentine's Day in what prosecutors argued was premeditated murder. Conviction on that charge carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. AGENT: Pistorius has received 'overwhelming support' STEENKAMP'S MOM: Why did Pistorius do this? Chief magistrate Desmond Nair, listening to details of the killing given by both sides, ruled for the prosecution. The hearing will continue Wednesday when Nair is expected to decide whether Pistorius, jailed since the killing, is eligible for bail. Pistorius released a statement, according to CNN: "I fail to understand how I could be charged with murder as I had no intention to kill my girlfriend." "We were deeply in love," an affidavit for Pistorius said, according to The Telegraph, the British publication that was among several media outlets represented in the courtroom. Pistorius said he had received death threats, so he kept a 9 mm pistol under his bed, The Telegraph reported. Pistorius said he felt vulnerable because he did not have on his prosthetics when he shot through the bathroom door, the Associated Press reported. CNN reports that Pistorius awoke to sounds in the bathroom. He said he thought Steenkamp was in bed and was too scared to turn on the lights. He said he shouted to her to call police, according to CNN. When he realized Steenkamp was not in his bed, "It filled me with horror and fear ..." Pistorius said in the affidavit. Pistorius then said he put on his prosthetic legs, broke the door with a cricket bat to find Steenkamp inside the bathroom, then ran downstairs with her. "She died in my arms," Pistorius said in the affidavit. Wearing a gray suit and tie, Pistorius broke down and sobbed at times during the hearing, prompting the magistrate to say he must try to compose himself, the Associated Press reported. Story Highlights
Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Oscar Pistorius disputes premeditated murder charge in bail hearing
Oscar Pistorius appears in the Magistrate Court in Pretoria on Tuesday, and he was charged with premeditated murder. Stephane De Sakutin, AFP/Getty Images
Related story Fullscreen
Relatives and friends of Reeva Steenkamp gather for the funeral ceremony at the crematorium building in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. Alexander Joe, AFP/Getty Images
Related story Fullscreen
A relative of Reeva Steenkamp holds the funeral program upon arriving at the crematorium building in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. Alexander Joe, AFP/Getty Images
Related story Fullscreen
Mike Steenkamp, (left) uncle of late South African model Reeva Steenkamp, is comforted by Reeva's brother, Adam, as he speaks to the news media during the memorial service in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. Alexander Joe, FP/Getty Images
Related story Fullscreen
Henke Pistorius (left), the father of Oscar Pistorius, speaks with his son's coach, Ampie Louw, on Tuesday after the sprinter's bail hearing was adjourned for the day. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN AFP/Getty Images
Related story Fullscreen
The brother and sister of South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius, Carl and Aimee, attend their brother's bail hearing in Pretoria, South Africa, on Tuesday. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN AFP/Getty Images
Related story Fullscreen
A women's group protests outside the court in Pretoria, South Africa, where Oscar Pistorius was attending his bail hearing Tuesday. Waldo Swiegers AP
Related story Fullscreen
Mike Steenkamp, the uncle of Reeva Steenkamp, speaks to the news media after attending his niece's memorial service in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Tuesday. Schalk van Zuydam AP
Related story Fullscreen
Oscar Pistorius, center, is led from the Boschkop police station on his way to his court hearing, where he was formally charged with premeditated murder. AP
Related story Fullscreen
Pistorius reacts to the announcement that he would be charged with premeditated murder at a court hearing on Friday. Antoine de Ras, AP
Related story Fullscreen
Oscar Pistorius hides his face in his hands in the courtroom during his hearing Friday in which he was formally charged with premeditated murder in the death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. ANTOINE DE RAS, AFP/Getty Images
Related story Fullscreen
In this screen grabbed off of AFP's TV feed, Oscar Pistorius, right, looks at his father, Henke Pistorius, as he leaves the courtroom following the hearing on Friday. Claire Price, AFP/Getty Images
Related story Fullscreen
Pistorius shares a quick moment with his father following the court hearing in which Pistorius was formally charged with premeditated murder in the death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Antoine de Ras, AP
Related story Fullscreen
Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius leaves the Boschkop police station, east of Pretoria, South Africa, on Thursday. Chris Collingridge AP
Related story Fullscreen
This aerial image taken from video provided by VNS24/7 on Thursday shows the home of Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius in a gated housing complex in Pretoria, South Africa. AP
Related story Fullscreen
This aerial image taken from video provided by VNS24/7 on Thursday shows the gated housing complex with the home of Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius in Pretoria, South Africa. AP
Related story Fullscreen
A police vehicle enters the housing estate where Oscar Pistorius lives in Pretoria, South Africa. AP
Related story Fullscreen
Oscar Pistorius' sister, Aimee, left, leaves the Mamelodi Hospital, east of Pretoria, South Africa, with unidentified persons, on Thursday after visiting her brother while he was being examined. AP
Related story Fullscreen
Workers are shown taking down a billboard of Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius endorsing a product in Johannesburg. Pistorius was taken into custody after a 30-year-old woman, Reeva Steenkamp, was shot dead at his home. Front billboard for Master Card has nothing to do with Pistorius story. Dion Chang, AP
Related story Fullscreen
Picture released Thursday by "Ice Models" in South Africa shows model Reeva Steenkamp. AFP/Getty Images
Related story Fullscreen
Reeva Steenkamp attends the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards 2013 held at Emperors Palace on Feb. 7 in Johannesburg. Gallo Images Getty Images
Related story Fullscreen
Oscar Pistorius reacts after competing in the men's 400 heat during the London Olympics on Aug. 4. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports
Related story Fullscreen
Oscar Pistorius breaks out of the starting blocks during the men's 400 semifinals during the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 5 Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports
Related story Fullscreen
Gold medalist Oscar Pistorius poses during the medal ceremony after winning the men's 400 meter final during the 2012 Paralympics, in London on Sept. 8. Matt Dunham, AP
Related story Fullscreen
Replay
Autoplay
Show Thumbnails
Show Captions
Fullscreen Last Slide Next Slide