Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial Postponed To August 19

The trial of South African runner Oscar Pistorius, who has been charged with murdering his girlfriend, was postponed to August 19, after the prosecution sought more time for the police to complete their investigation.

Pistorius is facing a charge of premeditated murder over the killing of his 29-year-old model-girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, on February 14.

The 26-year-old double amputee athlete appeared in a dark grey suit and checkered tie at the Pretoria Magistrates Court for a brief procedural hearing that was completed in about 15 minutes, the New York Times reported. The prosecution sought a postponement of the case until August and the defense lawyers agreed to it.

He appeared calmer and composed while attending Tuesday’s hearing, in contrast to his last court appearance in February, when he broke down and cried.

Pistorius, an Olympian and Paralympian who uses prosthetic legs, was released on a 1 million rand ($112,400) bail, after a four-day hearing in February.

According to the prosecution, Pistorius fired four shots at Steenkamp through a closed bathroom door at his home in a pre-meditated murder attempt on Valentine’s Day. He denies the premeditated murder charge.

Pistorius admitted to shooting through a closed bathroom door in his Pretoria home, but claimed that he mistook Steenkamp for a burglar while firing the shots. He said he had no intention of killing his girlfriend.

During the hearing of Pistorius’s bail plea in February, Detective Hilton Botha -- the former lead investigator in the case -- had said that the prosecution did not have any proof to counter the athlete’s version of events on the day of the murder, to reveal gaps in the police investigation.

It was also revealed during the investigation that Botha is on trial for seven charges of attempted murder over a 2011 shooting incident.