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Oscar Pistorius 'sorrow' over Reeva Steenkamp shooting | Oscar Pistorius 'sorrow' over Reeva Steenkamp shooting |
(about 2 hours later) | |
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has spoken of his sorrow over the fatal shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp exactly a year ago. | South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has spoken of his sorrow over the fatal shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp exactly a year ago. |
In a statement on his website, he said: "The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life." | In a statement on his website, he said: "The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life." |
Mr Pistorius is due to go on trial for her murder in Pretoria in March. | Mr Pistorius is due to go on trial for her murder in Pretoria in March. |
He claims he mistook her for an intruder when he shot her through the toilet door on Valentine's Day 2013. | He claims he mistook her for an intruder when he shot her through the toilet door on Valentine's Day 2013. |
State prosecutors allege the killing was premeditated following a fight between the couple. He could face life imprisonment if found guilty of the charge. | State prosecutors allege the killing was premeditated following a fight between the couple. He could face life imprisonment if found guilty of the charge. |
Fallen hero | Fallen hero |
The rare statement by the Paralympic sprint star was dated 14 February 2014 and read: | The rare statement by the Paralympic sprint star was dated 14 February 2014 and read: |
"No words can adequately capture my feelings about the devastating accident that has caused such heartache for everyone who truly loved - and continues to love - Reeva. | "No words can adequately capture my feelings about the devastating accident that has caused such heartache for everyone who truly loved - and continues to love - Reeva. |
"The pain and sadness - especially for Reeva's parents, family and friends - consumes me with sorrow. | |
"The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Oscar." | "The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Oscar." |
He had linked to his statement through his Twitter account with the message: "A few words from my heart." | |
Reeva Steenkamp's uncle said there would be a private family gathering near Cape Town to mark the anniversary of her death, though her parents and brothers would not attend. | |
"We will release balloons in her memory," Michael Steenkamp told the AFP. "They will be red and white, her favourite colours." | |
Earlier this week, Reeva's mother June said she would attend the trial, which is due to begin on 3 March. | |
She thanked their supporters and said: "All we are looking for is closure and to know that our daughter did not suffer on that tragic Valentine's Day." | |
Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and reality TV star, was shot three times while she was in the bathroom of her boyfriend's Pretoria home in the early hours of 14 February 2013. | Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and reality TV star, was shot three times while she was in the bathroom of her boyfriend's Pretoria home in the early hours of 14 February 2013. |
Mr Pistorius said he thought she was a burglar and denies prosecution claims that they had an argument in the hours before the shooting. | Mr Pistorius said he thought she was a burglar and denies prosecution claims that they had an argument in the hours before the shooting. |
Much of the case will depend on ballistic evidence from the scene of the shooting, correspondents say. | Much of the case will depend on ballistic evidence from the scene of the shooting, correspondents say. |
Mr Pistorius' arrest a year ago stunned many South Africans who saw him as a national sporting hero after his long legal battle to be able to take part in the Olympics. | |
The 27-year-old double amputee won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and also competed at the Olympics. | |
As well as the pre-meditated murder charge, Mr Pistorius also faces a charge of illegal possession of ammunition. | |
Earlier this week, his lawyers confirmed they had reached an out-of-court settlement after a four-year legal battle with Pretoria blogger Cassidy Taylor-Memmory. | |
Ms Taylor-Memmory had accused the athlete of injuring her at a party in 2009 after he allegedly punched a door that then fell on her leg. | |
She told Eyewitness News the deal was reached in December. |
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