Oscar Pistorius’s trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp has been adjourned until 19 August.
The Olympic and Paralympic athlete was released on the same bail conditions he has had to observe since February.
In a short pre-trial hearing at Pretoria magistrates court, magistrate Daniel Thulare expressed concern about a trial by media in the case. He said the South African national prosecuting authority should look seriously at whether any of the coverage had scandalised the court, asked international journalists to respect the South African judicial process, and told anyone with information about the case to approach the prosecution, not the media. The courtroom was packed with journalists, as it has been for every stage of this case so far.
Thulare asked the prosecution team why they wanted a postponement until August. Prosecutor Andrea Johnson said she could not share that information in public, but the defence agreed with the delay.
Pistorius looked calm and composed, and spoke only once, to confirm he had understood the judge, speaking in a quiet voice.
The 26-year-old athlete, whose legs were amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old, faces a minimum of 25 years in jail if convicted. At his bail hearing, Pistorius claimed he thought Steenkamp was a burglar when he shot her through the toilet door at his home in Pretoria. The prosecution claims he murdered her after an argument. The trial continues.
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