Oscar Pistorius: Innocent or Murderer?

Did Oscar Pistorius accidentally shoot his girlfriend, or was it a cold-blooded and pre-meditated murder?

Those are the questions on the minds of most, after the man known as the “Blade Runner” was charged last week with the murder of his girlfriend, South African model Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius made a name for himself at last year’s Summer Olympic Games in London, for being a double-amputee who was still able to compete at a high professional level in several track competitions.  Now, rumors of prior domestic violence and last week’s murder have tainted the name of the seemingly humble and viral young runner, causing him to lose endorsement deals and a pass in the court of public opinion.

According to Pistorius, he said he heard an intruder in his home and shot several times through the bathroom door in self-defense.  But evidence of a “bloodied cricket bat” found at the home and reports that Steenkamp’s head had been crushed in, are providing a completely different tale.

Since Pistorius was in an active relationship with a woman who had access to his home, why would he shoot through a bathroom door without first knowing who was on the other side?  Why are neighbors coming forward with information that they heard arguing prior to the sound of gun shots? And what about those previous implications of domestic violence? Were his cries in court last week tears of the loss of his lady love, or tears of guilt?

This could all be a very unfortunate accident and Oscar Pistorius could very well be a totally innocent man.  Or, he could a sick batterer who killed his girlfriend.  What do you think?