/ 19 February 2013

Scores of journalists take to Pistorius’s bail hearing

Scores Of Journalists Take To Pistorius's Bail Hearing

Earlier on Tuesday, some of the journalists left the queue, running towards the back entrance of the court as news broke out that police had brought Pistorius to court.

The media were waiting to apply for accreditation to cover the bail application of Pistorius, accused of shooting dead his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his Pretoria home last week.

Security officers shouted at local and international media pushing to get into the court.

Pistorius was brought to court early from the Brooklyn police cells where he had been in custody since his first appearance on Friday.

He was brought in through a different entrance to the one used on Friday, mostly escaping the glare of international publicity.

Family
His family, including sister Aimee who was looking composed in the fray, and a cousin, were among the first to push through the throng at the security scanners.

Steenkamp's funeral takes place in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. Her body was flown down to the coastal town for a private family ceremony.

At the Pretoria Magistrate's Court, people with court business unassociated with double amputee medal winner Pistorius were allowed through first, and the media, desperate for one of the 25 places set aside for them, sprinted to the court room once through the security check.

Other people expected are representatives of the Commission for Gender Equality, who said on Monday they would be monitoring the case.

During his emotional first court appearance, Pistorius heard that the state intended arguing a case of pre-meditated murder against him.

On Friday, the court heard that the bail proceedings would be taken up with argument on whether the crime he is charged with falls under sections five or six of the Criminal Procedure Act.

If it is the latter, his lawyer Barry Roux has to show exceptional circumstances for him to be released on bail. – Sapa