Police on Wednesday denied claims that Oscar Pistorius may have physically assaulted his girlfriend before allegedly shooting her, after reports that a bloodied cricket bat was found at his home where the tragedy occurred last week.
Investigating officer Hilton Botha told the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court that there was “no signs of an assault and no signs of her defending herself against an assault.”
The world’s most famous disabled sports personality is facing a charge of murder after his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, was gunned down at his home in Pretoria on Valentine's Day.
Pistorious on Tuesday read out a statement claiming that he thought there was an intruder inside his bathroom when he opened fire at the door, hitting Steenkamp three times.
On Wednesday, Botha disclosed that a charge of possession of unlicensed ammunition will be added to Pistorius's murder docket, after rounds for a .38 special firearm were found in a safe in at the house.
Pistorius’ legal team is attempting to convince the court that he should not be charged with premeditated murder, which would give him a better chance of securing bail.
The State is represented by Gerrie Nel, who is arguing that the shooting was premeditated and that the prosecution rejects claims that Steenkamp may have been mistaken for a burglar.
The famous paralympian, nicknamed the blade runner because of his carbon fibre prosthetic legs, made history by qualifying to compete with able-bodied athletes at the 2012 London Olympics.
The bail application will continue on Thursday.
Pana 20/02/2013