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Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was granted bail on Friday, having been charged with premeditated murder for the death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. 

According to the Wall Street Journal , Magistrate Desmond Nair said in view of the “totality of the evidence” he concluded Mr. Pistorius should be granted bail while he awaits trial for murder. The Olympic and Paralympic runner fired shots through a closed bathroom door and killed his girlfriend, 29-year-old model and aspiring actress Steenkamp, after what it says could have been a Valentine’s Day argument with his girlfriend.

Pistorius’ legal team maintains that  he fired shots through the bathroom door because he thought there was a burglar inside and feared for his safety and had no intention to kill his girlfriend according to an affidavit. Pistorius’ lawyer, Barry Roux, has argued that if he were the prosecution, he said he would charge Pistorius with “at most culpable homicide,” which is a much smaller sentence. If the track star is convicted of premeditated murder, he can possibly receive a life sentence.

The track star was previously seen as one of the most inspiring athletes in recent history after taking part in the 2012 Olympics despite not having any legs. His endorsement deals and advertisements with sporting goods giant, Nike, have since been pulled. The judge is still to set a trial date. Pistorius reportedly only paid $11,000 upfront to make bail.

See images below.

Photos: Reuters/AP

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