Oscar Pistorius held his head in his hands and wept openly in court Friday as prosecutors said they would pursue a charge of premeditated murder against the Paralympic superstar.
Pistorius was formally charged at Pretoria Magistrate's Court with one count of murder after his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, a model and budding reality TV show contestant. The 30-year-old was shot multiple times and died at Pistorius' upmarket home early Thursday morning.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said Friday in court it was premeditated murder, indicating the prosecution would file that more serious charge, upgraded from murder.
The double-amputee athlete's arrest and murder charge had already left South Africa stunned after Steenkamp's death on Valentine's Day at Pistorius' house in a gated community in an eastern suburb of South Africa's capital, Pretoria.
Following the hearing, Pistorius' family and his London management company issued a statement calling into question the criminal charge the 26-year-old athlete faces.
"The alleged murder is disputed in the strongest terms," the statement read. The statement did not elaborate.
The statement also said Pistorius wanted to "send his deepest sympathies to the family of Reeva."
"He would also like to express his thanks through us today for all the messages of support he has received -- but as stated our thoughts and prayers today should be for Reeva and her family -- regardless of the circumstances of this terrible, terrible tragedy," the statement read.
Those who knew Pistorius, including a former girlfriend, also weighed in on social media.
Trish Taylor, mother of Pistorius' ex-girlfriend Samantha Taylor, wrote on Facebook: "I'm so glad Sammy is safe and out of the clutches of that man."
Well Oscar...I gotta be honest. You're fuc*ed. If that ex-girlfriend's mom doesn't shut her mouth, you're gonna be facing two counts of premeditated murder. "The clutches of THAT MAN..." that's some cold, ruthless shit to say. You know this guy doesn't stand a chance. The only thing working in his favor is that it's South Africa and if you have 3 dollars and a Snickers bar, you can pretty much get out of anything. Integrity and Justice don't go hand in hand there, unless you're one of those guys that attempts rape, but gets to experience this. That's justice. Anyway, Oscar is gonna be spending a lot of time in the clink. Too bad that little shit didn't lose his hands instead of his legs because unless you're one of those circus freaks, it's hard to pull a trigger with your toes. And to think that this guy was beloved by so many people just a few short months ago. How do you murder anyone, but her especially. I would love to take off those soda can legs of his and beat his ass with them. What a dick.
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