Blade Runner' charged with murder

South African police said Thursday they have charged Olympic sprint star Oscar "Blade Runner" Pistorius with the Valentine's Day murder of his model girlfriend.

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Oscar Pistorius with his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in Johannesburg last month. AFP

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Blade Runner' charged with murder

PRETORIA, AFP – South African police said Thursday they have charged Olympic sprint star Oscar "Blade Runner" Pistorius with the Valentine's Day murder of his model girlfriend, playing down reports she was mistaken for a burglar.

"I can confirm that a suspect has been charged, he has been charged with murder," said Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale after the shooting at Pistorius' upscale home in Pretoria.

Police and Pistorius' family confirmed that there was only one suspect in the case and that the athlete had been taken into custody, with police saying they will oppose bail.

The 26-year-old, a national icon who made history when he became the first double-amputee to compete in the Olympics last year, was expected to appear in court shortly charged with the killing of 30-year-old model Reeva Steenkamp.

Oscar Pistorius competes in the London 2012 Olympic Games. AFP

"He is with the police and the matter is in the hands of the authorities," his father Henke Pistorius said.

"Obviously we are shocked. Our thoughts are with the family of the woman involved in this tragedy," he said.

Police said the deceased, identified by friends as Steenkamp, was shot four times and died at the scene.

"We were surprised by allegations that the deceased had been perceived to be a burglar," said police spokeswoman Denise Beukes.

"The premises are fairly secure... This is a fairly secure estate."

"There's previously been incidents of allegations of domestic disputes at the home of the accused."

Beukes said they were talking to neighbours who "heard things" earlier in the evening.

"The state will be opposing bail," she added.

Crime is a major problem in South Africa and many people keep weapons at home.

Pistorius has previously spoken of carrying a firearm when faced with a potential threat at home and of visiting a shooting range.

blade – a flat metal piece of equipment, in this case, used for running (see photo)
charge – to accuse someone officially of committing a crime ตั้งข้อกล่าวหา
murder – the crime of intentionally killing a person ฆาตกรรม, การฆาตกรรม
sprint – a short period of running very fast วิ่งด้วยความเร็วสูงสุด
play down – to discount; to try to make something seem less important or serious  ลดความสำคัญ
burglar – someone who enters a building illegally in order to steal things ผู้ร้ายย่องเบา, คนลักขโมยของ,
suspect – a person who is thought to have committed a crime ผู้ต้องสงสัย
upscale – designed for or used by people who belong to a high social class or have a lot of money
athlete – someone who is good at sports and takes part in sports competitions นักกีฬา
take into custody – to arrest; to put someone under control, usually by the police,  because they are believed to have committed a crime จับกุม
oppose – to disagree with or not approve of a plan or policy คัดค้าน
bail – money that is given to a court when someone is allowed to stay out of prison until their trial. If they do not return for the trial, the court keeps the money  เงินประกัน; การประกันตัว
icon – someone who is very famous and who people think represents a particular idea or activity  ดาราหรือบุคคลผู้มีชื่อเสียงที่เป็นตัวแทนของสิ่งใดสิ่งหนึ่ง
amputee – a person who has had an arm or a leg amputated (cut off) ผู้ที่ถูกตัดแขนหรือขา
appear – to go somewhere officially because you are involved in something, such as a trial or inquiry ปรากฏตัวอย่างเป็นทางการ
matter – a situation or subject which is being dealt with or considered เรื่อง, ภารกิจ, งาน
authorities – the police or people in official organisations who have the legal power to make people obey laws or rules เจ้าหน้าที่ (ตำรวจ หรือผู้มีอำนาจ)
obviously – clearly เห็นได้ชัด, อย่างชัดแจ้ง
shocked – very surprised and upset ตกใจ
involved – taking part or having a role in something เกี่ยวข้อง
tragedy – a very sad situation, usually because it involves death or great suffering โศกนาฎกรรม
deceased – dead  ซึ่งตายแล้ว
identify – to specify who someone is  ระบุชื่อ
scene – site; a place where something happens or happened สถานที่เกิดเหตุ
angel – a spirit who is believed to be a servant of God เทพธิดา
intruder – someone who enters a place without permission ผู้บุกรุก
run-in – an argument or a fight การทะเลาะเบาะแว้ง
allegation – an accusation; a statement that someone has done something wrong or illegal even though this has not been proved ข้อกล่าวหา
perceived – thought of or understood in a particular way ได้รับการมองว่า
premises – the buildings and land that a business or organisation uses ที่ดินและสิ่งปลูกสร้าง
secure – safe from attack or harm ปลอดภัย
incident – something that happens, usually something bad เหตุการณ์
domestic – connected with the home or family  เกี่ยวกับบ้าน, เกี่ยวกับครอบครัว
dispute – a serious disagreement การโต้เถียง, ความขัดแย้ง
neighbour – someone who lives near you,  เพื่อนบ้าน
state – government รัฐบาล
crime – activities that involve breaking the law อาชญากรรม
weapon – an object such as a knife, gun, bomb, etc. that is used for fighting or attacking somebody อาวุธ
firearm – a gun of some type อาวุธปืน
potential – possible ความเป็นไปได้
threat – a danger อันตราย
shooting range – an area of land where people can practise shooting สถานฝึกยิง