Oscar Pistorius planned a personal memorial service tonight for Reeva Steenkamp , the 29-year-old model he shot at his home on Valentine’s Day. The evening service would be at the Pretoria home of his uncle Arnold, where the Olympic athlete has been staying since he was released on bail . He is free awaiting trial on a premeditated murder charge. Pistorius’ reputation management firm said he had specifically requested the service “as he remains in deep mourning for the loss of his partner Reeva.” Pistorius says he shot her by accident assuming she was an intruder in his home February 14, and his lawyer her strongly contested the murder claim. “Oscar has asked for a private service with people who share his loss, including his family members who knew and loved Reeva as one of their own,” his rep said. It was unclear exactly what Pistorius’ service would consist of. Exactly a week ago, a memorial was held for Steenkamp in the coast city of Port Elizabeth, where her body was cremated following a private service. That same day, the bail hearing for Pistorius started in the nation’s capital Pretoria, where both sides traded barbs in a preview of his upcoming trial. Prosecutors say the pair had an argument before Steenkamp was killed and allege that Pistorius not only killed her on purpose, but planned it out. His defense attorney vehemently denied those allegations, and Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair set bail for the Olympic sprinter at 1 million rand ($113,000). The 26-year-old double amputee track star was ordered to hand over his passports, turn in all guns he owns and keep away from his home/crime scene. He is not allowed to leave Pretoria or consume drugs or alcohol. Nair himself was in private mourning on Tuesday; he is cousin to a woman suspected of killing her two children and committing suicide on the weekend. Incredibly, Oscar’s brother, Carl Pistorius , is also facing a murder charge at this time… as is Hilton Botha , the lead investigator in Oscar’s case.
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Oscar Pistorius Plans Private Memorial For Reeva Steenkamp
