Oscar Pistorius’s older brother Carl also faces homicide charges in South Africa over a 2010 car crash, it was reported today.
Carl Pistorius allegedly struck and killed a female biker in the daytime crash, his lawyer told eNCA news, a South African TV channel.
Prosecutors accused Carl Pistorius of driving recklessly in the accident.
His lawyer Kenny Oldwage said in a statement that Carl had been involved in a car accident “in which a woman motorcyclist sadly lost her life.” He said that “there is no doubt that Carl is innocent and the charge will be challenged in court.”
Oldwage said that “Carl deeply regrets the accident” and that a blood test showed he was not drunk at the time. “It was a tragic road accident after the deceased collided with Carl’s car.”
Carl Pistorius was already in court last Thursday, as his brother Oscar was facing a bail hearing, and will appear again at the end of next month.
Carl Pistorius is charged with culpable homicide, a lesser charge than the premeditated murder case against his brother.
The charge carries a possible 15-year prison term.
Carl’s trial was supposed to begin on Thursday, the same day his Olympian brother was freed on bail.
But the case was postponed until next month.
Word of another Pistorius homicide case shocked South Africa.
“Looks like Carl & Oscar will keep each company in jail,” tweeted Johannesburg resident Rebecca Chiedza Goba.
Also today, a South African man who said Steenkamp had stayed at his home since September, described Pistorius as moody and impatient. Cecil Myers, whose daughter was close friends with Steenkamp, said in an interview published today in the City Press newspaper, that Pistorius will have the killing of Steenkamp on his conscience. “I hope he gets a long sentence. Gets what he deserves,” said Myers.
“Very nice and charming to us when they started dating,” said Myers. Myers said Pistorius initially used to come into the house but later just dropped Steenkamp off and picked her up when they began to date steadily, and he described the change as a lack of respect.
Myers recalled their first date and told the newspaper: “After that he wouldn’t leave her alone. He kept pestering her, phoning and phoning and phoning her.”
According to Myers, Steenkamp “told me he pushed her a bit into a corner. She felt caged in.”
Myers said he told Pistorius “not to force himself on her. Back off.” He said that after initially agreeing with him, it appeared that Pistorius soon took no heed.
With AP