Oscar describes how Reeva died
2013-02-19 14:32
Pretoria - Oscar Pistorius has described, in an affidavit
read out to the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, how his girlfriend
Reeva Steenkamp died.
According to Pistorius, he and Steenkamp went to bed at
about 22:00 on 13 February 2013.
He explained that he keeps a 9mm pistol under the bed as he
has been a victim of crime before.
During the night he went out on the balcony and heard a
noise in the bathroom. He said he felt a "sense of terror" rush
through him.
Vulnerable
"Because I did not have my legs on I felt vulnerable. I
fired shots through the bathroom door and told Reeva to call police."
He then explained that Reeva was not in bed. "That's
when it occurred to me that she could have been in the bathroom. The bathroom
door was locked. With the benefit of hindsight I realise that Reeva went to the
bathroom when I went to close the balcony door."
Pistorius then used a cricket bat to break down the bathroom
door.
"Reeva was alive. I took her to the bathroom, called
Netcare, picked her up and went downstairs.
"I tried to revive Reeva but she died in my arms. I am
mortified.
"I trust the South African legal system and the facts
will show that I did not murder Reeva."
Pistorius said in the statement that he is not a flight
risk, will not interfere with witnesses, has no previous convictions and is not
disposed to violence. His continued incarceration will be of "no
benefit" to the State.
