- Paralympian attends hearing in Pretoria where case is to be postponed
- Prosecution asks for case to be delayed until August 19 as they investigate
- 26-year-old's trial set to start in earnest later this year or early next year
- Steenkamp's parents: 'Only one person' who knows the truth about death
- Do not have jury trial so pre-trial media coverage is rarely deemed prejudicial
A set of semi-naked photos that Reeva Steenkamp commissioned for an unidentified 'special someone' in the months leading up to her death have emerged.
The release of the images comes on the same day that Oscar Pistorius was told in court his trial over her alleged murder has been postponed until August 19 after prosecutors asked for more time to build the case against him.
The black and white images show the model lying on a bed in a range of poses.
Photographs that Reeva Steenkamp commissioned
for an unidentified 'special someone' in the months leading up to her
death have been uncovered
The images were taken by photographer Garreth
Barclay. 'Most of the photos that I took of her aren't even edited,' Mr
Barclay said. 'That's just how she is, you know.'
Commissioned: The black and white images show the semi-naked model lying on a bed in a range of poses
Message: A tattoo on her back reading 'Only God
will judge me' in Italian can be seen. The phrase had personal
significance for her as it 'was something her grandfather had always
said,' according to friends
The phrase had personal significance for her as it 'was something her grandfather had always said,' according to friends.
The images were taken by photographer Garreth Barclay.
'Most of the photos that I took of her aren't even edited,' Mr Barclay told CNN.
'That's just how she is, you know.
'That's just a simple colour grading that I put on it to give an effect or a mood, but I mean, her skin was always great, beautiful eyes, beautiful features.'
Postponed: Oscar Pistorius' trial over the
killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp has been postponed until
August 19 after prosecutors asked for more time to build the murder case
against him
Delayed: Looking fit and healthy, the Paralympic champion stared straight ahead as his trial was delayed
Today the judge in the case warned
that the Paralympic champion has faced 'trial by media' due to the
relentless reporting on the high-profile case.
Pistorius, who made history when he competed in last year's Olympics, has been on bail since February, when he was arrested following the death of model Miss Steenkamp.
Dressed in a dark suit and tie, Pistorius was calm and composed throughout the hearing.
Sipping from a bottle of water, he spoke only to confirm that he had understood after the magistrate confirmed that the hearing would be postponed and the same bail conditions would apply.
The South African athlete is expected to stand trial later this year or early next year.
Magistrate Daniel Thulare warned that Pistorius, 26, should be treated like any other defendant to ensure he receives a fair trial.
He said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) should 'seriously look' at whether any of the coverage of the case had scandalised the court.
He also made a public appeal for anyone with information about the case to contact the authorities.
Mr Thulare told the hearing that reporters and court officials had a duty to 'preserve the sanctity of the fountains of justice in the republic', and avoid prejudicing the proceedings.
The trial will be ruled by a judge, with no jury so there is no danger of British-style contempt of court.
Pistorius, who made history when he competed in last year's Olympics, has been on bail since February, when he was arrested following the death of model Miss Steenkamp.
Dressed in a dark suit and tie, Pistorius was calm and composed throughout the hearing.
Sipping from a bottle of water, he spoke only to confirm that he had understood after the magistrate confirmed that the hearing would be postponed and the same bail conditions would apply.
The South African athlete is expected to stand trial later this year or early next year.
Magistrate Daniel Thulare warned that Pistorius, 26, should be treated like any other defendant to ensure he receives a fair trial.
He said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) should 'seriously look' at whether any of the coverage of the case had scandalised the court.
He also made a public appeal for anyone with information about the case to contact the authorities.
Mr Thulare told the hearing that reporters and court officials had a duty to 'preserve the sanctity of the fountains of justice in the republic', and avoid prejudicing the proceedings.
The trial will be ruled by a judge, with no jury so there is no danger of British-style contempt of court.
Support: Oscar Pistorius turns to talk to his
sister Aimee, centre, and uncle Arnold Pistorius, left, while appearing
in the court today
Comfort: Pistoruis' younger sister Aimee puts a reassuring hand on her brother as he appears in the dock
Warning: Oscar Pistorius steps into the dock
this morning. The judge in the case warned that the Paralympic champion
has faced 'trial by media' due to the relentless reporting on the
high-profile case
Arrival: Pistorius arrives at the court in Pretoria, followed by his uncle, Arnold Pistorius, back left
Pre-trial issues are expected to be dealt with at the hearing on August 19.
Pistorius was arrested in the early hours of Valentine's Day after he shot Miss Steenkamp, 29, through the door of the bathroom in the home they shared.
The sprinter, known as 'Blade Runner' thanks to his distinctive prosthetic limbs, has already admitted killing Miss Steenkamp by shooting her three times in his luxury Pretoria home.
However, he denies murder.
Instead he claims he killed his 'beloved' girlfriend by accident, firing through the locked toilet door while under the false impression that an intruder hid behind it.
An alleged love rival to Oscar Pistorius will testify against the fallen superstar in his upcoming murder trial, it has been disclosed.
Rugby player Francois Hougaard is included on a list of prosecution witnesses set to appear.
Hougaard, who as well as playing professional rugby also does modelling work, is a close friend and former boyfriend of Miss Steenkamp's.
Unconfirmed reports have claimed that the 24-year-old exchanged text messages with the bikini model on the night she died. Hougaard refuses to comment.
Miss Steenkamp was holding her mobile phone when she was shot inside the toilet.
Friend: Rugby player Francois Hougaard, an
alleged love rival to Pistorius will testify against the fallen
superstar in his upcoming murder trial, it has been disclosed. Mr
Hougaard is pictured here at Miss Steenkamp's funeral earlier this year
Trial: Also on the prosecution list is
Pistorius' ex girlfriend Samatha Taylor who prior to Reeva's death said
of his then new relationship: 'Oscar has such a way with women. She's
probably not the only one he's got. Oscar is certainly not what people
think he is'
Despite the severity of the charge, however, Pistorius, who admits keeping a small arsenal of guns, has managed to remain out of jail while the case against him proceeds.
Under the terms of his bail he must live at his uncle Arnold's house and can have no contact with any witnesses. He is permitted to train and even to travel abroad.
Pistorius has mostly kept out of the public eye since he secured bail. Media reported that in April he partied at a nightclub in a Johannesburg suburb after his bail conditions were relaxed the previous month.
The Pistorius camp said the matter was blown out of proportion and he went out for a quiet dinner with friends after spending weeks in the house with family.
The provisional list of witnesses lined up to give evidence against the limbless Paralympian was revealed by South Africa's eNCA television news channel.
Also on the prosecution list, according to the channel, is Pistorius' ex girlfriend Samatha Taylor - like Miss Steenkamp, a blonde model - who prior to Reeva's death said of his then new relationship: 'Oscar has such a way with women. She's probably not the only one he's got. Oscar is certainly not what people think he is.'
Appeal: June and Barry Steenkamp have launched a new search for answers over their daughter's death
Also on the witness list are a dozen of Pistorius' neighbours from the high security Silver Woods housing estate where the incident took place.
South Africa's prosecution has already revealed in court that some of these neighbours heard loud shouting coming from Pistorius' home on the evening Reeva died.
Evidence, the prosecution say, that Oscar Pistorius and his girlfriend argued bitterly before he shot her.
This weekend Oscar Pistorius' family issued a press release in which they said that the athlete is seeking solace in his Christian faith.
Golden
couple: This photo taken days before Pistorius shot the model,
provides a moving insight into the life of the lovers. But Reeva
Steenkamp's mother claims the pair were arguing frequently in the weeks
leading up to her death and the model told her mother she was afraid of
being in his company
She also revealed that his finances have taken a hit, as his expensive lawyer's legal fees and the loss of sponsorship deals make an impact.
'He has lost a lot of sponsors but there will always be bread on the table', she said.
The athlete's coach Ampie Louw told the BBC: 'Physically, he's in good shape. Mentally he's up and down. This is going to be a long road.'
Pistorius' family yesterday said they will 'support him every step of the way' and 'fully stand behind' him.
'We believe in him, love him and will support him every step of the way in what lies ahead,' he said.
'We were shaken by the graphic images, leaked into the public domain this week, of the accident scene at Oscar's house.
'It has always been our plea that the legal process be allowed to run its course with integrity. The leaking of evidential material into the public domain before the court case does not advance this process.'
Miss Steenkamp's parents Barry and June last night gave a television interview saying they were desperate to discover how their daughter died.
In the Channel 5 programme, Mrs Steenkamp said 'there is only one person who knows what happened' that night in February when her 'terrified' daughter was killed .
She spoke of the guilt she and her husband feel about not having 'protected' their daughter.
'Why? Why did he shoot her? I want to know why he shot her. Because she must have been so afraid in the toilet, and somebody's firing (a) gun, bullets through the door,' she said.
Scene: Pictures of the bathroom in Pretoria where Ms Steenkamp was killed on Valentine's Day
Champion: Pistorius was feted as a Paralympic and Olympic legend before his arrest in February
'How did she end up with a person like this? Who could shoot her? I want to know. We don't know what happened. There is only one person who knows what happened,' she told the Channel 5 programme Why Did Oscar Pistorius Kill Our Daughter?
Ms Steenkamp's parents said their daughter told them of her arguments with Pistorius and how they had feared for her safety.
Recalling a phone call from her daughter who was travelling in a car that Pistorius was driving at speed, Mrs Steenkamp said: 'She was afraid, she was so afraid. She phoned me and she said, "Mummy I'm in the car with Oscar and he's driving like a lunatic."'
Model: Reeva Steenkamp was shot to death in the bathroom at Pistorius's home
'She didn't elaborate about what they'd been fighting about. She said, "We are fighting a lot." That's what she said.
'I didn't feel alarmed about that because men and women do fight, don't they, it's part of a relationship, but this is a very early relationship to be fighting.'
Ms Steenkamp's parents also revealed unseen personal photographs and letters.
Among them was a picture painted by her as a teenager, depicting a gunman, an angel and a stairway to heaven which her parents described as a 'premonition'.
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