Oscar Pistorius bail hearing set for third day

The bail hearing for South African paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius, accused of murdering his girlfriend, is due to enter its third day. Correspondents say the magistrate's line of questioning on Wednesday indicated he may be considering bail.

Mr Pistorius is accused of the premeditated murder of model Reeva Steenkamp, 29. He says he shot her after mistaking her for an intruder.

If denied bail, he could face months in prison before a full trial begins.

On Wednesday, lawyers for Mr Pistorius challenged the testimony of veteran Detective Hilton Botha at the hearing in Pretoria.

Det Botha said a witness heard fighting at Mr Pistorius's home on the night he shot Ms Steenkamp.

Under questioning from prosecution lawyer Gerrie Nel, Det Botha told the court that the trajectory of gunshots through the bathroom door indicated that Mr Pistorius - a double amputee - was wearing his prosthetic legs and shot downwards through the door.
"I believe that he knew that Reeva was in the bathroom and he shot four shots through the door," Det Botha told the court.

He said the holster for Mr Pistorius's 9mm pistol was found by the bed - a sure sign, he told the court, that the athlete must have known she was not in bed.

The testimony contradicted an earlier account given by Mr Pistorius.