Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing Live Update: Granted Bail in Murder Case of Reeva Steenkamp [VIDEO]
After four days of intense hearings, a South African judge granted bail to Oscar Pistorius, the Olympic track athlete accused of murdering his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, according to the New York Times.
Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair made a decision after a two-hour explanation of his ruling. Nair told the court he had "come to the conclusion that the accused has made a case to be granted bail." There was a cry of "Yes" from Pistorius' family members and supporters in the public gallery when the court was adjourned.
Nair said the decided bail was not a matter of guilt and innocence, but about determining whether justice would be served by holding a defendant in custody.
Pistorius bail was set at 1 million rand ($113,000), with $11,300 in cash and proof that the rest is available. Pistorius was ordered to hand over his passports and also turn in any other firearms that he owns. He will not be allowed to leave the district of Pretoria without the permission of his probation officer, Nair said.
The magistrate also ruled that he could not return to his home, where the killing of Steenkamp took place.
However, Nair said he had much "difficulty" apprehending Pistorius' version of what occurred the night of the murder, mentioning of a number of "improbabilities."
"I have difficulty in appreciating why the accused did not ascertain the whereabouts of his girlfriend," Nair said. He said he also struggled to understand "why the accused would not seek to ascertain who was in the toilet" before opening fire.
But Nasir concluded that Pistorius was "not a flight risk" and said there was no evidence before him that the athlete might interfere with state witnesses.
According to TMZ, Pistorius' lawyer suggested that the charge should be lowered -- to "culpable homicide" -- meaning the Olympian didn't have the intent to kill Steenkamp at all but that it was a "tragic mistake."
The double-amputee Olympian's next court appearance was set for June 4.