# Amputee Runner Oscar Pistorius Shoots Girlfriend **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 14, 2013, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265 "2013-02-14T07:36:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![UTejas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UTejas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UTejas)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/61 "2013-02-16T02:12:05Z")
[The recent news update](http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/15/us-safrica-pistorius-shooting-idUSBRE91E09620130215) is that she was shot through the bathroom door. The mistaken identity theory is a little harder to argue given that. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2013, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/62 "2013-02-23T15:49:59Z")
[Pistorius Escapes](https://twitter.com/ArronOberholser/status/305341571539292161) ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/63 "2013-02-26T21:12:28Z")
> [@UTejas](#): > > [The recent news update](http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/15/us-safrica-pistorius-shooting-idUSBRE91E09620130215) is that she was shot through the bathroom door. The mistaken identity theory is a little harder to argue given that. Why? Are you assuming it is impossible for an intruder to have come in through a bathroom window? Do you even know if there was a bathroom window? A lot of assumptions going on. Maybe they had a fight, then got over it and went to bed. She got up in the night, he didn’t realize she was up and shot her when he heard a noise. Maybe they had a fight, she locked herself in the bathroom, so he shot her through the door. The idea that living in a neighborhood where violent crime is common and having a gun by the bed, and then waking up in the night to a strange noise inside your place and having a sense of physical helplessness from a physical impairment, I can see that leading to an accidental shooting. Also, the shoot four times does not sound unreasonable. I would expect trying to confirm identity before shooting is more sensible, but once you start shooting you generally would want to get the job done. A person can squeeze off 4 shots in less than 2 seconds if already pointing the gun with the safety off. Hard to know what went on. More details will follow. I’m reserving judgment. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/64 "2013-02-26T21:22:29Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Why? Are you assuming it is impossible for an intruder to have come in through a bathroom window? Do you even know if there was a bathroom window? There is a window in that bathroom right behind the toilet. However it’s not correct that he was awakened at night by a strange noise. He says he was already awake and walking around when he heard a noise and feared it was a burglar, went to get his gun, and then went back to the bathroom and started shooting. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/65 "2013-02-26T21:24:03Z")
nvm ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/66 "2013-02-27T22:05:11Z")
Marley, I posted that before I read his statement of events, so I was merely listing possible scenarios, not anything actually attested to. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/67 "2013-03-28T22:59:26Z")
he got permission to compete in running outside of the country. > **[Oscar Pistorius free to compete abroad after bail decision](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/mar/28/oscar-pistorius-compete-abroad-bail)** > > Judge relaxes bail restrictions and rules that athlete may travel internationally if he provides itinerary a week before departure ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2013, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/68 "2013-08-13T19:39:14Z")
Police complete Pistorius shooting investigation [http://sports.yahoo.com/news/police-complete-pistorius-shooting-investigation-145633213.html](http://sports.yahoo.com/news/police-complete-pistorius-shooting-investigation-145633213.html) ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/69 "2013-08-13T20:11:20Z")
So they’re going to press charges. I wonder what the charge will be? ---
**Author:** ![ctnguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@ctnguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctnguy)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/70 "2013-08-13T20:37:15Z")
As far as I understand it, he was already charged (with murder) back in February when he appeared in the magistrate’s court. The indictment is just formal notice that he will be tried in the High Court. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/71 "2014-03-01T15:46:38Z")
The trial will start next week. Parts of it will be televised: > **[Oscar Pistorius: South Africa gears up for its 'trial of the century' | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2014/03/01/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial-preview/)** > > He was one of South Africa’s favorite sons, an amputee track star who defied all the odds and sprinted into the hearts of millions during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. She was a staggering beauty with the brains to match, a law graduate and... ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/72 "2014-03-11T16:14:48Z")
The news is saying he vomited during the pathologist’s gruesome testimony. ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/73 "2014-03-11T16:55:15Z")
Unfortunately Pistorius’ “burglar” story really doesn’t hold much water. If he assumed that there was a burglar in his home, why not make certain that your girlfriend was safe FIRST and then go play cowboy? Coupled with tales of Pistorius having anger issues and his extreme carelessness in handling firearms, it’s a surprise that something this didn’t happen sooner. This guy is a deeply disturbed person who needs to spend some time off the streets. On a crueler note: If he’s convicted and goes to prison, will they simply confiscate his legs? That way they won’t have to worry about him fleeing. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/74 "2014-03-11T17:19:55Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > The news is saying he vomited during the pathologist’s gruesome testimony. Delicate and sensitive soul - bless his heart. Can’t everybody see how sorry he is? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2014, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/75 "2014-03-11T20:43:42Z")
Have we decided he’s the current OJ Simpson? I thought there was some doubt. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/76 "2014-03-11T21:38:39Z")
> [@nevadaexile](#): > > Unfortunately Pistorius’ “burglar” story really doesn’t hold much water. If he assumed that there was a burglar in his home, why not make certain that your girlfriend was safe FIRST and then go play cowboy? Yeah. His defense is a story that paints him as a complete loose cannon and a danger to his loved ones and his immediate surroundings. That’s… interesting. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2014, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/77 "2014-03-11T21:46:09Z")
Well, in gun-rights Libertopia, a few cracked eggs is the price we heartily pay for our gun-rights omelette. ---
**Author:** ![ctnguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@ctnguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctnguy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2014, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/78 "2014-03-11T21:46:34Z")
I don’t think he’s expecting to get away scot-free, but rather hoping to avoid a murder conviction and only be convicted for the lesser charge of culpable homicide. ---
**Author:** ![WilyQuixote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@WilyQuixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WilyQuixote)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/79 "2014-03-13T08:48:24Z")
> [@nevadaexile](#): > > On a crueler note: If he’s convicted and goes to prison, will they simply confiscate his legs? Just a quick note: if convicted to a custodial sentence, he will be provided with a standard issue wheelchair. Prison authorities generally aren’t keen on inmates bringing their own metal objects which can be used/or easily converted into a weapon. I imagine there would be similar laws / guidelines in UK & USA. ---
**Author:** ![WilyQuixote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@WilyQuixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WilyQuixote)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2014, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265/80 "2014-03-13T08:50:41Z")
> [@ctnguy](#): > > I don’t think he’s expecting to get away scot-free, but rather hoping to avoid a murder conviction and only be convicted for the lesser charge of culpable homicide. This. Here, a culpable homicide conviction frequently results in a non-custodial sentence. (last sentence not directed at you in particular) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amputee-runner-oscar-pistorius-shoots-girlfriend/650265.md?page=5)