Oscar Pistorius Gets Bail Over Killing

Oscar Pistorius has been bailed by a court in South Africa after spending a week in custody charged with murdering model Reeva Steenkamp.

Cheers erupted as Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair read out his decision, which came at the end of a two-hour statement to the highly charged courtroom.

The magistrate set a number of conditions including one million rand (£73,000) in bail.

He will also be required to live at an undisclosed address, hand in his passport and report twice a week to a police station in Pretoria.

Pistorius' supporters prayed after the decision was announced

The double amputee is also banned from drinking alcohol, must hand over his guns and stay away from the estate where he lived.

And the magistrate added Pistorius still has lots questions to answer.

"I have difficulty in appreciating the accused did not ascertain the whereabouts of his girlfriend when he got off the the bed," Mr Nair said.

"I have difficulty with the accused not seeking to verify who was in the toilet when he could of ask.

The magistrate said Pistorius still has a lot of questions to answer

"I have difficulty understanding why the deceased didn't scream back from the toilet."

Sky's Alex Crawford said Pistorius burst into tears when the decision was read out.

"He had been crying quietly anyway, and it just seemed to prompt even more sobbing from him," Crawford said.

"His family are hugely relieved, some of them are crying, they're gathered together in a little huddle … hugging each other, some are sobbing, they are holding hands, and some at least appear to be praying."

The star is charged with premeditated murder over the shooting death of his girlfriend, Miss Steenkamp, in the early hours of February 14.

Pistorius left the courtroom in a silver vehicle

Prosecutors had warned that the star has the "money, means and motive" to flee South Africa if he is given bail.

But the judge said he did not believe Pistorius to be a "flight risk" or "pose a danger to society".

Pausing before he delivered his final decision to the packed courtroom, the magistrate said: "I come to the conclusion that the accused has made a case to be released on bail".

About an hour-and-a-half later Pistorius was driven away from the court in a silver vehicle.

Family and friends cheered and cried as the decision was read out

The case has been postponed until June 4.

After the decision was granted, a representative of the state said the investigation was ongoing and there was more evidence to gather.

The Olympian's uncle Arnold said after the decision: "Although we are obviously relieved that Oscar has been granted bail, this is still a very sad time for the family of Reeva and for us.

"We are grateful that the magistrate recognised the validity and strength of our application.

"As the family, we are convinced that Oscar's version of what happened on that terrible night will prove to be true."

Miss Steenkamp's friend Kim Myers said it was a very sad time

Outside the court, a friend of Miss Steenkamp, Kim Myers, said it has been a very sad time and people must remember the trial has not started.

"The bail application is not a trial and we hope and trust the justice will prevail," she said.

"We need to remember that some still lost their life.

"Our hearts and thoughts and prayers just go out to the Steenkamp family."

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