Pistorius' trial is scheduled for 2014.
South African Olympic and Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius, accused of murdering his girlfriend, prayed and wiped away tears during a hearing on Monday in a court that has scheduled the start of his trial for March 3, 2014.
PRETORIA, Aug 19 (Reuters) - South African Olympic and Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius, accused of murdering his girlfriend, prayed and wiped away tears during a hearing on Monday in a court that has scheduled the start of his trial for March 3, 2014.
Pistorius, a 26-year-old double amputee known as "Blade Runner" because of the prosthetics he uses in competitions, bowed his head and prayed, holding hands with his brother Carl and sister Aimee, before a brief hearing in a Pretoria court.
Detailed charges were presented outlining the indictment for premeditated murder against Pistorius, who admitted to shooting model Reeva Steenkamp through the bathroom door in his Pretoria home on South African Valentine's Day.
Pistorius claims he acted in self-defense, firing at what he believed to be an intruder. The case shocked South Africa and gained worldwide media attention.
Monday's hearing was held on what would have been the 30th birthday of the victim, a model and aspiring TV star.
Pistorius was one of the most famous athletes at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, competing in the Olympic 400m semi-final against able-bodied athletes and winning Paralympic gold in the same distance.
(Reporting by Peroshni Govender)