Pistorius due in court ahead of murder trial early next year
Amputee Olympian set to be indicted on premeditated murder charge on Monday
Oscar Pistorius will be indicted for premeditated murder on Monday and the double-amputee Olympian will go on trial early next year, prosecutors said.
In a sombre twist, the South African will be indicted on the day the woman he killed, Reeva Steenkamp, would have celebrated her 30th birthday.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Medupe Simasiku said yesterday that the exact date for the trial had not yet been set and would probably be decided on Monday, Pistorius' next scheduled appearance in court.
The indictment papers would be served at Pretoria Magistrate's Court and the prosecution will retain a main charge of premeditated murder, Simasiku said.
Pistorius faces a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years in jail if convicted on that charge.
Pistorius was initially charged with premeditated murder for bail purposes while police investigated the circumstances of the Valentine's Day shooting.