Audio By Carbonatix
A date has been set for the trial of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius for the premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at a hearing at Pretoria magistrates' court.
The prosecutor in the case said the dates of 3 to 20 March had been mutually agreed for the trial.
The prosecution handed a copy of the indictment to Mr Pistorius.
Mr Pistorius denies murdering Ms Steenkamp. He says he shot her after mistaking her for an intruder.
He was granted bail in February and has since resumed some low-key training.
During Monday's brief hearing, prosecutor Gerrie Nel said he planned to transfer the case to the high court: "We have prepared the indictment."
Oscar Pistorius looked stern-faced as he appeared in court, says the BBC's Andrew Harding at the hearing. Before proceedings started, he could be seen crying and holding hands with his siblings.
Mr Pistorius was also indicted on a charge of illegal possession of ammunition.
The double amputee won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and also competed at the Olympics.
His arrest in February stunned many South Africans who saw him as a national sporting hero after his long legal battle to be able to take part in the Olympics.
Ballistic evidence
State prosecutors are arguing that the killing was premeditated, a charge which carries a sentence of life imprisonment. They say he killed Ms Steenkamp intentionally after a fight.
But Mr Pistorius says he shot his girlfriend through the bathroom door of his home in Pretoria after mistaking her for a burglar.
The prosecution handed over details of its case against Mr Pistorius at Monday's hearing, including a witness list and forensic reports.
Much depends on ballistic evidence from the bathroom where Ms Steenkamp was shot, our correspondent says.
South African newspapers have reported that at least some of that forensic evidence appears to back up Mr Pistorius's version of events, he continues.
However, the prosecution is expected to call witnesses who will say the Olympic runner was preoccupied with guns, and had been arguing with his girlfriend.
Last week, the police wrapped up their six-month investigation into Ms Steenkamp's killing.
"The South African Police Service is hopeful that justice will prevail," a statement from the office of South Africa's national police commissioner read.
Mr Pistorius returned to court on what would have been Reeva Steenkamp's 30th birthday.
In June, Oscar Pistorius resumed "low-key" training as a way to help him "process the trauma", a statement on his website read.
Mr Pistorius was freed on a bail of R1million (£74,000; $110,000). A court in March eased his travel restrictions, allowing him to leave South Africa to compete as long as he complied with certain conditions.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
That era is over – Ghana vows accountability for every citizen killed abroad
32 minutes -
Brent oil rises 7% on report US considering military options to break Iran deadlock
48 minutes -
Minority cries ‘political persecution’ over arrest of Maxwell Kofi Jumah
53 minutes -
Court premises declared crime scene as Judicial Service relocates Sunyani Circuit, Magistrate Courts
54 minutes -
Ghana’s currency volatility linked to extractive sector leakages – Joe Jackson
57 minutes -
Body of drowned 20-year-old water tanker attendant retrieved from quarry pit at Mpobi
1 hour -
GNAT kicks against 7,000 teacher recruitment, demands increase
1 hour -
Oti MDCEs sign 24-hour economy contracts
1 hour -
GNFS pushes for prosecutorial powers amid rising attacks on firefighters
1 hour -
Court grants substituted service in defamation suit against Health Minister
1 hour -
Manso Kaniago miners protest extortion by ‘fake’ security operatives
1 hour -
Probe launched into alleged maternal death at Kasoa Hospital
1 hour -
No Ghanaian killed in xenophobic attacks – Envoy debunks viral death claims
1 hour -
Be assertive about your rights – Women and girls with disabilities urged
1 hour -
Ho Assembly exceeds first-quarter IGF target, records rise in DACF releases
1 hour