Emotional Oscar Pistorius charged with premediated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

From The Independent...

An emotional Oscar Pistorius appeared before a Pretoria magistrates court today and was formally charged with murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Before the hearing began, an emotional Pistorius could be seen holding hands and praying with his two siblings Aimee and Carl., who stood behind him during proceedings.

Friends of Ms Steenkamp were also present at today's hearing.

When asked by Magistrate Desmond Nair if he was well, he replied: "Under the circumstances, your honour."

Papers presented at court today included a witness list and details of the evidence police have gathered. Witnesses who will be called to the stand during the trial will include former footballer Mark Batchelor, his ex-girlfriend Samantha Taylor and his uncle Arnold, according to South African journalist Barry Bateman.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court his team had prepared an indictment and the case was ready to be transferred to high court. South African police finished their six month investigation into the death of Ms Steenkamp last week.

The eight page indictment reportedly contained the names of 107 witnesses that the state may call to speak.

Pistorius' trial date has been set for 3 March 2014 at the North Gauteng High Court and his bail conditions remain the same.

Pistorius is accused of the premeditated murder of Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's night,a  charge which he denies. The 26-year-old claims he shot the 29-year-old because he had mistaken her for an intruder.

The six-time Paralympic sprint champion was initially charged with premeditated murder for bail purposes while police investigated the circumstances of the shooting.

His latest high-profile court appearance came on the day Ms Steenkamp would have turned 30.

State prosecutors will retain a main charge of premeditated murder. Pistorius faces a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years in prison if convicted.

He also faces a separate charge of contravention of the Firearms Control Act.

Pistorius is currently on bail after a judge changed his conditions in March, allowing him to travel abroad providing he hands over his travel plans.

The "Blade Runner", who was recently spotted kayaking with friends in South Africa, has resumed a "low-key track routine", according to his family.

In a statement on his website in June, they said: "Oscar is not contemplating a formal return to athletics and his training is not aimed at preparing for competition.

"His focus at this time remains entirely on the court case. His family, and those close to him, have encouraged him to spend a few hours a week on the track to assist him in finding the necessary mental and emotional equilibrium to process his trauma and prepare for the trial."

Ms Steenkamp's parents previously said they are still searching for answers, with Ms SteenKamp's mother June Steenkamp saying during a television interview in June that "there is only one person who knows what happened" on the night her daughter was killed.

South Africa does not conduct trial by jury and a judge will preside over the trial.

Pistorius' bail was set at 1m rand (£74,000; $113,000) in June this year.

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