Pistorius says “mistook girlfriend for robber”

PanARMENIAN.Net - South African athletics star Oscar Pistorius has denied murdering his girlfriend and said he thought he was firing at an intruder when he shot her at his home, BBC News said.

He told a bail hearing that he loved her and never intended to kill her.

Prosecutors accuse him of premeditated murder. They told the Pretoria court that Pistorius shot Reeva Steenkamp dead by firing though a bathroom door.

The hearing came as the victim's family held a funeral for her.

Tuesday February 19 hearing began with the prosecution giving its account of the killing, which it says was premeditated murder by the 26-year-old athlete.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court that on the evening of 14 February, Pistorius - a double amputee - had got up from bed, put on his prostheses, walked seven metres (24ft) and fired his gun through the door of the small bathroom.

He shot four times and hit Steenkamp three times, Nel said.

He added that the defendant later broke down the bathroom door and carried the body downstairs, Nel added.