Oscar Pistorius freed on bail in murder case

Updated at 7:43 p.m. ET

PRETORIA, South Africa Oscar Pistorius walked out of a South African court Friday a free man -- for now -- after a magistrate agreed to release him on bail ahead of his premeditated murder trial over the shooting death of his girlfriend.

But even as he was driven away from court and chased by videographers and photographers, questions continued to hound the Paralympian about what actually happened when he opened fire on Valentine's Day inside his home and killed Reeva Steenkamp.

Oscar Pistorius (center) was driven away from court on Feb. 22, 2013. He spent eight nights in a police cell before being freed on bail.

/ CBS News

Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair, who agreed to bail with harsh restrictions for the athlete, expressed his own doubts about Pistorius' story. Those questions, highlighted at a four-day bail hearing that at times foreshadowed his coming trial, come from Pistorius' account that he felt threatened and mistook Steenkamp for an intruder when he fired the four shots at her in his bathroom.

"Why would (Pistorius) venture further into danger?" Nair asked.

The magistrate also said that Pistorius' affidavit, in which he gave his detailed version of the events of the shooting in a sworn statement, had helped his application for bail. He compared it to other defendants' "flimsy" affidavits in which they merely deny the charges against them.

"That reaching out in the affidavit, the way that he did, placing it before the court," Nair said. "I come to the conclusion that the accused has made a case to be released on bail."

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Oscar Pistorius

Pistorius' supporters shouted "Yes!" when Nair made his decision after the nearly two-hour explanation of his ruling to a packed courtroom in Pretoria, South Africa's capital. Yet when prosecutors and the defense said they agreed to bail terms, Nair more than doubled those conditions for the 26-year-old runner to be free ahead of trial.

Nair set the bail at 1 million rand ($113,000), with $11,300 in cash up front and proof that the rest is available. The magistrate said Pistorius must hand over his passports and also turn in any other guns that he owns. Pistorius also cannot leave the district of Pretoria without the permission of his probation officer, Nair said, nor can he take drugs or drink alcohol.

Pistorius' family members hugged each other after the decision was read, with tears in their eyes.

"We are relieved at the fact that Oscar got bail today but at the same time we are in mourning for the death of Reeva with her family," said Pistorius' uncle, Arnold Pistorius. "As a family, we know Oscar's version of what happened on that tragic night and we know that that is the truth and that will prevail in the coming court case."

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Reeva Steenkamp's funeral

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Oscar Pistorius' model girlfriend

Sharon Steenkamp, Reeva's cousin, had said earlier that the family wouldn't be watching the bail decision and hadn't been following the hearing in Pretoria.

"It doesn't make any difference to the fact that we are without Reeva," she told The Associated Press.

Reeva Steenkamp was Gina Myers' best friend and house mate. Reeva's bedroom now lies empty - just as she left it the night she died. "I do go through all a lot of stages of disbelief," she told CBS News, "because it doesn't feel real. This is a very, very weird sensation."

Nair set Pistorius' next court appearance for June 4. The Olympian left the courthouse in a silver Land Rover, sitting in the rear, just more than an hour after the magistrate imposed the bail conditions. The vehicle, tailed by motorcycles carrying television cameramen aboard, later pulled into the home of Pistorius' uncle.

Pistorius left behind more than a dozen international and local television crews at the red-brick courthouse. It's a sign of the growing global fascination with a case involving an inspirational athlete and his beautiful, law-school graduate girlfriend, who was a model and reality TV show contestant.

During Friday's long session in Pretoria Magistrate's Court, Pistorius alternately wept and appeared solemn and more composed, especially toward the end as Nair criticized police procedures in the case and as a judgment in Pistorius' favor appeared imminent. He showed no reaction as he was granted bail.

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Before the hearing, Pistorius' longtime coach Ampie Louw said he hoped to put his runner back into his morning and afternoon training routine if he got bail.

"The sooner he can start working the better," said Louw, who was the person who convinced the double-amputee to take up track as a teenager a decade ago. But he acknowledged Pistorius could be "heartbroken" and unwilling to immediately pull on his carbon-fiber running blades, the reason behind his "Blade Runner" nickname.

There is one place, however, where Nair ordered that Pistorius cannot go: His upscale home in a gated community in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria, where he killed Steenkamp in the predawn hours of Feb. 14.

Pistorius said in a sworn statement to the court that he shot his girlfriend accidentally, believing she was an intruder in his house. He described "a sense of terror rushing over" him and feeling vulnerable because he stood only on his stumps before opening fire.

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Credibility of South African police under fire in Oscar Pistorius case

Prosecutors, however, say he intended to kill Steenkamp, saying the shooting followed a loud argument between the two. Yet despite poking holes in Pistorius' statement -- they questioned why he didn't notice his girlfriend missing despite walking past the bed and brought up incidents that they said highlighted his temper -- their case unraveled through testimony by the police's lead investigator in the case, Detective Warrant Officer Hilton Botha.

Botha, who faces seven charges of attempted murder in an unrelated incident, was removed from the case Thursday. His replacement, the nation's top detective, Vinesh Moonoo, stopped briefly by the hearing Friday. Prosecution spokesman Medupe Simasiku said later Friday: "We're still confident in our case."

While Nair leveled harsh criticism at Botha for "errors" and "blunders," he said one man does not represent an investigation and that the state could not be expected to put all "the pieces of the puzzle" together in such a short time. The magistrate questioned whether Pistorius would be a flight risk and be prepared to go "ducking and diving" around the world when he stood to lose a fortune in cash, cars, property and other assets.

Pistorius faced the sternest bail requirements in South Africa because of the seriousness of the charge. His defense lawyers had to prove that he would not flee the country, would not interfere with witnesses or the case and his release would not cause public unrest. They also had to show "exceptional" circumstances for his release as well, something Nair said could be found in the "weak" case offered by prosecutors.

Yet the magistrate still anticipated the shape of the state's case at trial. Nair said he had serious questions about Pistorius' account: Why didn't he try to locate his girlfriend on fearing an intruder was in the house? Why didn't he try to determine who was in the bathroom? And why would he venture into perceived "danger" -- the bathroom area -- when he could have taken other steps to ensure his safety?

Touching those unanswered questions, Nair said: "There are improbabilities which need to be explored."

As CBS News correspondent Emma Hurd reported, the drama of the bail hearing has set the stage for a gripping trial. Sources on both sides of the case have told CBS News that there is plenty of evidence that hasn't been revealed yet. Phone records and cell phone text messages will be key to establishing what happened that night.

[samXXkiley]

coucou,

The case Pistorious a cruel crime which may hide another scandal. The attitude of the South African justice is strange because Oscar Pistorious is guilty until proven otherwise, his release raises questions.
Oscar has killed, but did he planned this crime?
By releasing Oscar the justice wants to protect someone, who?
Does this mean that Reeva was sacrificed, and that crime will not be punished?
"au revoir"

[aubfmet]

Shooting thru a closed door and you don't know who's on the other side. Very interesting.

[michaelamsterdam]

Bottom line?

If every word of Pistorius' self serving statement is absolutely true...if, as he so dubiously claims, he accidentally shot his girlfriend to death because he is such a wretched coward...

That in a blind panic to save his own miserable life...he cravenly fired four rounds through a door when he didn't know who was on the other side of it...

If that's the case, he still deserves 15 years inside for manslaughter...along with a VERY public, internationally televised spanking

But of course, not every word...or indeed, very many of his words...were true

It's gotta be pretty rough on the carefully cultivated, macho image of this arrogant, self-absorbed narcissist...

But he is now locked in to enduring that kind of self-inflicted humiliation...or face life in the slammer...

That is...if he decides to hang around for his trial

[KPeters_from_UK]

Wrote it better than I did.

[oldoc44]

This is truly a "grimm" fairy tale! Hardly a shred of truth and fact in what he has conjured up. He killed her in the course of a big 'ol argument as she locked herself in the potty to get away from his ranting and rage. His "fame" and popularity there, together with his connections and wealth will see no justice here. A slap on the wrist at best. Sad!

[KPeters_from_UK]

There are points in his story I just don't understand such as: He said he woke up and what crawled to the window to bring in a fan, shut the sliding door and close the curtains. Crawling back, he heard an intruder. Not once looking over to the her side of the bed or bothering to crawl a few feet to her side to check on her...he didn't bother to crawl a few feet to her after he spent time crawling over to the window, brought in a fan, shut the door and closed the window ...he couldn't bother to cheek on her. And now we are suppose to believe he crawled with a gun into the bathroom over to the toilet and shot at a closed door? Okay, he also said he shouted for her to call the police...without waiting for a response he shoots at a closed door. What is this guy an idiot?

If he was that paranoid about intruders and criminals then why did he not care for the safety of his girlfriend? Why didn't he check on her? Was he that selfish and freaked out that he could only think about his own safety?

If he was that scared of crime why was the window even allowed to remain open during the night?


Nope. I don't buy it. I think they had a heated argument. He had his legs on. She ran into the toilet and locked herself in. He was screaming for her to get out so he could continue to yell at her face. He gets the gun and threats her. To scare her he shoots four times. Oooops. Bad idea.

[KPeters_from_UK]

I went back to the house layout and realized that the gun was under the bed. He had to crawl to his side of the bed to get the gun and STILL HE DIDN'T bother to see if Reeve was there in the bed. Won't you glance over to see if she was still sleeping? Maybe touch her shoulder tell her to be quiet? You have a gun and you think you might have to use it..tell your girlfriend to stay put and be quiet.

The gun was under his bed and he didn't bother to look at her. This tells me two things: 1st he killed her deliberately after they were arguing or 2, he was so scare of intruders he only care enough for his own safety.

[jasonbru]

she is a 30 y.o. woman, she wanted to stay with him that night but unfortunately mistook as a home invader. S. africa has the highest violent crime rate in the world, i am not surprised Pistorius mistook her to be a criminal invader. i am totally convinced that he thought the burglar locked himself in the bathroom and out of panic, he began shooting. FREE PISTORIUS!!!

[dor32569]

I believe everything happened the way Pistorius said. The diagram of his home shows into the bathroom. However the toilet room is inside of the bathroom. It was the toilet with a closed locked door. Pistorius fired into the toilet room. There are people who go into the toilet area, and lock the door for privacy. Nothing strange about it.

Is has surprised me that no one has mentioned this. I feel when all the tests come back, they will exonerate Pistorius. Yes,he accidently killed her which is tragic.

[KPeters_from_UK]

Who locks a toilet if you are already intimate with your partner? Close it? Okay I buy that but lock it? Kinda weird.

I also saw the house plan of the bedroom and bathroom layout and it raised even more red flags. No way he did all he said without his legs and not once glance over to see if she was there or silently call for her.

It would take him a while for him to crawl over to the toilet with a gun and all that time he didn't bother to call for her or listen for her.

If he was that paranoid about intruders he should have thought about the safety of his guest FIRST!!

[MountZionWarrior]

I am watching a special hour-long show about Pistorius on CNN and before my husband went to bed I asked him if he thought there was a burglar in the house wouldn't he make sure where I was before he started shooting through a door? Plus, if this was actually happening the way Pistorius said it did, wouldn't his girlfriend have screamed to him that it was her in there? The whole thing only makes sense when you go under the assumption that he shot her deliberately.

[epochone100]

They fought. She said she was leaving him. He goes into a rage.She runs into the bathroom and locks the door. Further enraged, he grabs a gun and without thinking, puts a few rounds through the door or wall. Realizing what may have just happened, he puts his legs on and bangs the door open. The rest is lying cowardice.

[dor32569]

Who told you they fought? I need proof of what you say. The only facts are that she is dead, because he shot her. He says it was an accident and I believe him until it is proven otherwise.

[KPeters_from_UK]

Neighbors heard arguments and he has a history of abuse with past girlfriends and others.

[CraigallenSB]

He's a runner, and he is going to run (away). No way this guy shows for court. he knows he is going away for life. It is a guarantee that he will take off. Why kind of idiot judge gives a guy facing life with this guy's resources bail??