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Oscar Pistorius apologizes to victim's family in court

Star athlete takes stand in South African murder trial

07 April, 13:56
Oscar Pistorius apologizes to victim's family in court (ANSA) - Rome, April 7 - Olympic track star Oscar Pistorius on Monday apologized to the family of Reeva Steenkamp, saying he was "simply trying to protect" her when he shot her dead and that pain he had caused was unimaginable.

Pistorius also said he was now "scared to sleep," wakes at night smelling blood, and has terrible nightmares, the BBC reported.

The athlete took the witness stand and testified with a trembling voice during his trial in Pretoria where he faces murder charges in the February 14, 2013 shooting of his model girlfriend.

Pistorius has pleaded not guilty and said he fired his pistol because he thought an intruder had broken into his Pretoria mansion, and that he accidently shot his girlfriend.

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