Following an almost week-long hearing, a South African court has granted bail to Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, who is charged with the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
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The case has been closely reported and followed on social media, with the court only allowing a handful of journalists in to report on the hearing. Twitter has proven the most popular platform for following the case, with the media updating their various audiences in 140 characters.
See also: The Oscar Pistorius hearing by the social media numbers
The case has also catapulted a number of journalists onto the world stage, fueling a slew of global Twitter trends and an explosion of social media journalism.
See also: Barry Bateman and Oscar Pistorius: inside the Twitter explosion
According to the terms of the bail, Pistorius will reside at an address which the court will not disclose. He will not leave South Africa and will be forced to hand over his passport. The prosecution and defence agreed on some of the terms and a payment of R250 000. Magistrate Nair however set bail at R1-million and ruled that Pistorius would not be allowed to go back to the estate where Steenkamp died. Pistorius will report to a police station twice a week. He may also not possess any gun while on bail and is not allowed to talk to any witness involved with the case.
The judgement on the bail hearing trended worldwide with the words bail and “Pretoria“, the location of the bail hearing, also trending globally at the time of writing.
We’ve picked out some tweets leading up to the announcement and the reaction after bail was granted.
Lead up
Spit it out Nair. You’re never going to make everyone happy & you’re standing between many people’s first glass of white wine
— Rebecca Davis (@becsplanb) February 22, 2013
These are the final few seconds in the global spotlight for Magistrate Desmond #Nair never to return again to Top Trends
— Daniel Howden (@howden_africa) February 22, 2013
Nair making 200 people sweat in a tiny courtroom. It must smell like a dilapidated gym change room in there. I’m trying to cheer myself up.
— Ciro | OverdriveTV (@CiroDS) February 22, 2013
After judgement was reached
#OscarPistorius family huddles together as Nair argues he can be granted bail. twitter.com/shapshak/statu…
— Toby Shapshak (@shapshak) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistoriusshouts of YES! From the back of the court. We adjourn. Conditions of bail to come. BB
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) February 22, 2013
We must ask Hilton Botha to investigate“@sheilaricci: Where does he go for 5mins? #Nair” #OscarPistorius
— Trevor Ncube (@TrevorNcube) February 22, 2013
#OscarPistorius granted bail family showing a huge amount of relief. twitter.com/AkiAnastasiou/…
— Aki Anastasiou (@AkiAnastasiou) February 22, 2013
RT @ranjenim Nair drove us nuts dragged it out but he was damn thorough. Can’t fault judgment. Proud of my homeboy. #OscarPistorius
— Theresa Mallinson (@tcmallinson) February 22, 2013
I hope Twitter did a maintenance check on their servers last night. #OscarPistorius #TwitterExplodes
— Mandy Collins (@CollinsMandy) February 22, 2013
Per @cnn could take 30 min-1 hour for #OscarPistorius to actually be freed. Judge just ruled he is RELEASED ON BAIL.
— Genna Revitz (@GennaRevitz) February 22, 2013
I’ve got an idea… Let’s ALL tweet that he got bail at the same time!
— Hilton Tarrant (@hiltontarrant) February 22, 2013
Bail it is, not really a surprise, prosecution didn’t do a particularly good job of motivating otherwise. #OscarPistorius
— Cat Murray (@cat_murray) February 22, 2013
Some Twitter users expressed their concerns over an accused murderer being let out on bail.
Outrageous that someone accused of murder by shooting a woman three times should get #bail. Free to flaunt himself before trial. Shame.
— michael dempsey (@michaeldemps) February 22, 2013
RT @taligavish: Another serious world setback for both gun control and domestic violence #pistorius #bail nyti.ms/Yr8VWN
— Zama Jali (@ZamaJay) February 22, 2013
“@jackartse22: #bail for #OscarPistorius” <<< blimey bailing for pre meditated murder, on the magistrates head be it! Poor Steenkamp family
— Chef Di(@TheGravySirens) February 22, 2013
Fact is that he KILLED her. Whether it was on purpose or not, if you kill someone you need to be put in jail. #bail
— Mon. (@MSVanh) February 22, 2013
