Oscar Pistorius' lawyers have filed an appeal in a South African court against bail restrictions imposed on the Paralympian, who is charged with murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, according to papers released by the Pistorius family on Monday, The New York Post reported.
"The conditions appealed against are unwarranted and not substantiated by the facts," said the appeal, which was filed Friday in Pretoria, the South African capital, Associated Press reported.
Pistorius said he mistakenly shot Steenkamp, mistaking her for a burglar. Prosecutors believe he killed her intentionally after an argument in the early hours of Valentine's Day. Since the murder, the Pistorius family has sought to keep a low profile, expressing sorrow for the Steenkamp's death.
Pistorius' appeal was prepared by Ramsay Webber, a legal firm based in Johannesburg. The papers, acquired by the AP, argue against the requirement that he surrender all passports and travel documents, and refrain from applying for such documents pending the end of his case.
The lawyers said "evidence presented at the athlete's bail hearing showed he is not a flight risk and should have the option of traveling outside South Africa as long as he has official permission. The appeal also said there was "no basis in fact or in law" justifying terms under which Pistorius must be supervised by a probation officer and a correctional official," Reuters reported.
Last month, Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair had set bail at 1 million rand (or $113,000). The 26-year-old track star was also ordered to turn in any guns he owns, and cannot leave the district of Pretoria without his probation officer's permission.
Pistorius' case in South Africa has already been compared to O.J. Simpson, the ex-football standout who was accused of killing his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.
The case also drew heavy international media attention. His trial will resume in the coming months. Steenkamp, a 30-year-old model and law school graduate, was an up-and-coming personality, already appearing in magazines, commercials and a reality TV show.
© 2023 Lawyer Herald All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Get the Most Popular Lawyerherald Stories in a Weekly Newsletter
Join the Discussion
