By Osagie Alonge
Oscar Pistorius has been granted bail and will be freed from custody as his trial in the Valentine’s Day shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp continues.
Pistorius’ family members and supporters are reported to have shouted ‘Yes!’ when Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair made his decision after a near two-hour explanation of his ruling.
Nair set the bail at 1 million rand ($113,000), with $11,300 in cash and proof that the rest is available.
The double-amputee Olympian’s next court appearance was set for June 4. Pistorius will however not return to his home, where the killing took place.
Pistorius shot and killed Steenkamp in the pre-dawn hours of February 14. The athlete says he shot his girlfriend accidentally believing she was an intruder in his house. Prosecutors are however saying he intended to kill Steenkamp and have charged him with premeditated murder.
Additional reports from Associated Press
