Olympic track pioneer Oscar Pistorius appeared at the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Friday to be formally charged with one count of murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. A 30-year-old model, law school graduate and reality television actress, Steenkamp was fatally shot at Pistorius’ home early on Valentine’s Day.
An emotional Pistorius openly wept as prosecutors indicated that they would pursue a premeditated murder charge. That charge carries a life sentence. In a statement released later on Friday, Pistorius’ family and representatives said “the alleged murder is disputed in the strongest terms.”
Steenkamp was shot four times and a 9 mm pistol was recovered at the scene, according to police.