Oscar Pistorius Officially Charged with Girlfriend's Murder; Trial Date Set for March 3rd - 20th, 2014

Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius appeared in Court today, long after his last hearing. Today happens to be the day that would have been the late model's 30th birthday.


He was told in court today, that he will face trial for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in March 2014.

A tearful Oscar in court

Wiping tears from his eyes, a visibly emotional Pistorius stood silently in the dock as he was formally indicted for premeditated murder at Pretoria Magistrates' Court.
The 26-year-old Paralympian, from South Africa, is accused of shooting Ms Steenkamp to death at their home on Valentine's night, but claims he opened fire on the 29-year-old after mistaking her for an intruder.
And after a hush finally descended on the packed courtroom, the judge set his trial to run from March 3 to March 20 next year at North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

According to BBC journalist Andrew Harding, who was tweeting from the courtroom and claimed to have read the indictment, the prosecution will present 107 witnesses 'including some who allege they heard loud "argument" before shooting'.
Before the hearing began he stood holding hands with sister Aimee and brother Carl as the three siblings prayed silently amid the commotion of the courtroom.
 
Friends of late Ms Steenkamp were also in court.
The prosecution will retain a main charge of premeditated murder. If convicted, Pistorius faces a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years in prison.
Additional charges are also 'possible', prosecutors told The Associated Press, but declined to comment about the charges before today's hearing.