BBC ONLINE: 20 February 2013
Last updated at 04:28 GMT
Oscar Pistorius could face life in jail if found guilty
On Tuesday Mr Pistorius told the court he shot her through a bathroom door after mistaking her for an intruder.
A full trial of the Paralympic star, 26, is not expected for months.
He is accused of premeditated murder.
The defence will have to prove the exceptional circumstances that would justify granting bail, the BBC's Andrew Harding in Pretoria says.
On Tuesday Mr Pistorius told the bail hearing that he loved Reeva Steenkamp and had never intended to kill her.
In a statement read to the court, Mr Pistorius - who is a double amputee - said he woke in the middle of the night and thought he heard an intruder in his bathroom.
In pitch darkness, he said he took a pistol from beneath his bed. After screaming for the intruder to leave, he said he fired four shots through the door.
Only after shooting did he realise Ms Steenkamp was not still in his bed, the statement said. He broke down the bathroom door and discovered her body.
"She died in my arms," the statement said. "I am absolutely mortified at the death of my beloved Reeva".
Oscar Pistorius wept as his affidavit was read out in court.
Reena Steenkamp's family say her death left a terrible void
Oscar Pistorius bail hearing prosecutors to make case
Oscar Pistorius could face life in jail if found guilty
South
African prosecutors are set to detail their murder case against athlete
Oscar Pistorius, on the second day of his bail hearing in Pretoria.
They are expected to highlight reports that neighbours had
heard loud arguments in his home before he shot his girlfriend, Reeva
Steenkamp.On Tuesday Mr Pistorius told the court he shot her through a bathroom door after mistaking her for an intruder.
A full trial of the Paralympic star, 26, is not expected for months.
He is accused of premeditated murder.
The defence will have to prove the exceptional circumstances that would justify granting bail, the BBC's Andrew Harding in Pretoria says.
On Tuesday Mr Pistorius told the bail hearing that he loved Reeva Steenkamp and had never intended to kill her.
In a statement read to the court, Mr Pistorius - who is a double amputee - said he woke in the middle of the night and thought he heard an intruder in his bathroom.
In pitch darkness, he said he took a pistol from beneath his bed. After screaming for the intruder to leave, he said he fired four shots through the door.
Only after shooting did he realise Ms Steenkamp was not still in his bed, the statement said. He broke down the bathroom door and discovered her body.
"She died in my arms," the statement said. "I am absolutely mortified at the death of my beloved Reeva".
Oscar Pistorius wept as his affidavit was read out in court.
Reena Steenkamp's family say her death left a terrible void
'Pre-planning'
But his account was disputed by the prosecution, who said the couple may have argued before the shooting.
"There is no possible explanation to support his report that he thought it was a burglar," prosecutors said.
"It was all part of the pre-planning. Why would a burglar lock himself inside the bathroom?" prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court.
The first day of the bail hearing coincided with Reeva Steenkamp's funeral.
The 29-year-old model and law graduate was cremated in her home town of Port Elizabeth.
Her father, Barry Steenkamp, told reporters: "We have to keep Reeva in our hearts forever."
The case has aroused huge interest both in South Africa, where Oscar Pistorius is regarded as a national hero, and around the world.
He is a multiple Paralympic champion, winning gold medals at the 2004 Games in Athens, at Beijing 2008 and at London 2012.
In London he made history by becoming the first double amputee to run in the Olympics, progressing to the semi-finals of the 400m.
But his account was disputed by the prosecution, who said the couple may have argued before the shooting.
"There is no possible explanation to support his report that he thought it was a burglar," prosecutors said.
"It was all part of the pre-planning. Why would a burglar lock himself inside the bathroom?" prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court.
The first day of the bail hearing coincided with Reeva Steenkamp's funeral.
The 29-year-old model and law graduate was cremated in her home town of Port Elizabeth.
Her father, Barry Steenkamp, told reporters: "We have to keep Reeva in our hearts forever."
The case has aroused huge interest both in South Africa, where Oscar Pistorius is regarded as a national hero, and around the world.
He is a multiple Paralympic champion, winning gold medals at the 2004 Games in Athens, at Beijing 2008 and at London 2012.
In London he made history by becoming the first double amputee to run in the Olympics, progressing to the semi-finals of the 400m.
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