Like many people, I am very unsure about whether the truth will ever be known regarding the death of Reeva Steenkamp and Oscar Pistorius’ part in it. There are more than likely months of accusations and denials to come before we find out what the Court in Pretoria will decree and what Mr Pistroius’ likely penalty [if any] will be.
The system there is quite different from our own. Jury trials were scrapped more than 40 years ago because all-white juries were seen as unlikely to give black defendants a fair trial, a single judge is considered less susceptible to public opinion or media comments, and so the South African media is more free to report details about the Oscar Pistorius case than the media in many other countries where such reporting would be seen as prejudicial.
Needless to say, however, I was amused at reports today that on day 2 of his bail hearing the prosecution argued that Pistorius may flee if he is granted bail. As a double amputee, why not just confiscate his prosthetic legs … he won’t get far without them ….. but leave him with them and the Bladerunner will probably disappear in a cloud of dust!
