Police oppose bail for Pistorius

PRETORIA, South Africa — Killing suspect Oscar Pistorius is a flight risk and should not be granted bail, South African police argued in court Wednesday.

Pistorius is charged with premeditated murder for the Valentine’s Day shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp with a 9 mm pistol.

Pistorius asserted in a court affidavit Tuesday that the shooting was accidental and he thought the model was an intruder in his home.

Police officer Hilton Botha said in the star athlete’s bail hearing Wednesday that Pistorius illegally possessed .38-caliber ammunition in a safe in his bedroom. The policeman testified that Pistorius did not have a license for a .38-caliber weapon and consequently possession of that ammunition was illegal.

The detective said that all Pistorius would say after the shooting was “he thought it was a burglar.”

In an additional revelation Wednesday, police said they found two boxes of testosterone and needles in the Pistorius’ bedroom.

Pistorius’ defense lawyer, Barry Roux, said the substance found in the bedroom was a “herbal remedy” not a steroid and not a banned substance.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said police are not saying that Pistorius used the substance, simply that it was found in his bedroom.

Pistorius became the first Paralympian runner to compete at the Olympic Games in London last year.

Pistorius, 26, has insisted he shot the 29-year-old Steenkamp by mistake, fearing there was an intruder in his gated and guarded luxury complex in the capital, Pretoria.