– TV interview criticised –
Pistorius has shunned the media during years of intense coverage since Steenkamp’s killing, but his family have revealed that he has given his first interview, due to air on British broadcaster ITV later this month.
The interview drew a sharp attack from state prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who said it proved that Pistorius was capable of testifying.
“He would rather give his version to the TV than to court,” Nel said.
Pistorius was released from jail last October to live under house arrest at his uncle’s mansion in Pretoria after serving one year of his five-year sentence for culpable homicide.
If he is sentenced to more than five years this time around, he will have to serve at least two-thirds of the term before he qualifies for parole.
Since being convicted of murder, Pistorius has been on bail and allowed to leave his uncle’s house at set times, but not travel further than 20 kilometres (12 miles) without permission.
The case – held in the same courtroom as the original trial – was scheduled to last one week.
Pistorius has always denied killing Steenkamp in a rage and, during his dramatic seven-month trial in 2014, sobbed in the dock as details of his lover’s death were examined in excruciating detail.
The year before he killed Steenkamp, Pistorius became the first double-amputee to race at Olympic level when he appeared at the London 2012 games.
He has since lost his glittering sports career, lucrative contracts and status as a global role model for the disabled.
The court adjourned until Monday afternoon, after exchanges when it was revealed that while in prison Pistorius caught an infection in his leg stumps after being forced to shower on a concrete floor.
About 20 Pistorius supporters rallied outside the court, saying he should be treated leniently.
About The Author
