Olympic and Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius fell from grace when he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013. Here’s a look back at the events.
2013
Feb 14: News breaks around 8am on Valentine's Day that Pistorius has shot and killed his girlfriend, claiming he mistook her for a robber. Police later confirm they have arrested Pistorius and recovered a 9mm pistol. By mid-morning, police have confirmed that the woman shot dead is 29-year-old model Reeva Steenkamp. They say they will oppose bail when Pistorius appears in court.
Feb 15: After spending the night behind bars, Pistorius appears in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court. Prosecutors announce they intend to pursue a charge of premeditated murder. His bail hearing is set for Feb 19.
Feb 17: Pistorius's agent, Mr Peet van Zyl, says all future races Pistorius is contracted to compete in have been cancelled.
Feb 19: Ms Reeva Steenkamp's funeral is held in Port Elizabeth. Pistorius appears in court on the first day of a bail hearing. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel says the athlete fired four shots through a bathroom door, hitting Ms Steenkamp three times. His defence says Pistorius thought Ms Steenkamp was an intruder. Pistorius denies he deliberately shot his girlfriend.
Feb 22: Magistrate Desmond Nair grants Pistorius bail of one million rand (S$117,545). Conditions include that Pistorius surrender his passport and any weapons in his possession.
Feb 28: Pistorius appears on the cover of the March issue of Time Magazine in the United States, Asia, and the South Pacific. He is bare-chested, wearing shorts and his running blades. Printed over his picture are the words: "Man. Superman. Gunman."
Mar 11: His lawyers file an appeal against bail restrictions imposed on him.
Mar 28: His bail restrictions are eased by the high court in Pretoria, allowing him to leave South Africa if he wants to compete internationally.
Aug 19: On The day on which Ms Steenkamp would have turned 30, Pistorius appears in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court before magistrate Desmond Nair to have the state's indictment served on him. He is charged with premeditated murder and violation of the Firearms Control Act. Accompanying the indictment is a list of more than 100 possible witnesses. The trial is set to take place in the high court in Pretoria from March 3 to 20.
2014
Feb 14: On the anniversary of Ms Steenkamp's death, Pistorius posts a tribute to her on his official website oscarpistorius.com: "No words can adequately capture my feelings about the devastating accident that has caused such heartache for everyone who truly loved – and continues to love Reeva."
Feb 19: Media groups ask the high court for permission to broadcast Pistorius's murder trial.
Feb 25: Judge Dunstan Mlambo rules that trial can be televised, saying it was vital that South Africans who feel ill-treated by the justice system be given a first-hand look at the trial.
Mar 2: A 24-hour TV channel dedicated to the trial is launched on Dstv.
Mar 3: Trial starts in the high court in Pretoria.
SOURCE: Mail & Guardian