Sprinter Pistorius charged with girlfriend's murder

A sobbing Oscar Pistorius was formally charged by a South African magistrate on Friday with murdering his model girlfriend on Valentine's Day. The 26-year-old superstar sprinter broke down in the dock as magistrate Desmond Nair announced a single charge of killing his lover, blonde covergirl Reeva Steenkamp. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder, a charge which could carry a life sentence. The double amputee, an inspirational hero of last year's London Olympics, sat hunched, audibly crying as Nair considered whether to allow the proceedings at the Pretoria court to be broadcast. Relatives in the public gallery tried in vain to console the gold medallist. Known worldwide as "Blade Runner" because of his carbon fibre prostheses - Pistorius is accused of shooting his glamorous lover four times at his upmarket Pretoria home in the early hours of Thursday. She was shot with his 9mm pistol, suffering wounds to the head and hand and died on the scene. The sprinter had spent the night behind bars and was subject to blood, alcohol, DNA and other tests, as forensics experts continued to work at the crime scene at his home. Police have poured cold water on initial reports that Pistorius had shot his 29-year-old girlfriend after mistaking her for a burglar. The bail hearing has been delayed until Tuesday to allow the defence more time to prepare. Source: AFP