Pretoria - Oscar Pistorius's murder case was postponed to 19 February
in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court, after a highly charged first appearance on
Friday.
He will stay in police custody at the Brooklyn police
station until his appearance on Tuesday.
With jaws clenched, Pistorius heard the State intended
pursuing a case of pre-meditated murder against him, following the shooting of
his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home on Valentine's Day.
"Is the State's argument pre-meditated murder?"
asked magistrate Desmond Nair.
"Yes," said prosecutor advocate Gerrie Nel.
Charges
The postponement was granted to allow the defence time for
further preparation, and to properly categorise the charge against him in terms
of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA).
The celebrity paralympian walked into the packed courtroom
wearing a dark suit, and began crying when Nair greeted him. Nair asked him to
be calm and he sat down.
He is expected to bring a bail application next week.
There is also expected to be clarity on whether the crime he
is charged with falls under Sections five or six of the CPA.
In terms of Section five, dealing with "serious"
offences, the accused may only be granted bail if he produces evidence to
satisfy the court that the interests of justice permit the release.
Section six deals with "extremely serious" crime
and requires exceptional circumstances for bail to be granted.
As Pistorius walked out of the dock, his father Henke
reached out to him.
Pistorius just walked on, teary-eyed.
SAPA
