Two new specials look at Oscar Pistorius case

Two new specials will be airing this weekend that explore the shocking case of Oscar Pistorius. Nicknamed “Blade Runner” because of his prosthetic legs, Oscar Pistorius made news last year as the first double-leg amputee to participate in the Olympics, but he now is in the news in a far more infamous way, charged in South Africa with murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Reeva Steenkamp was fatally shot by Oscar Pistorius in the bathroom of the star athlete’s home this past Valentine’s Day, and aside from the awfulness of the tragedy and loss of life, the main question to be determined is whether the shooting was an act of coldblooded murder, or a horrible accident.

In the first of the specials airing this weekend, tonight’s (March 1) episode of 20/20 (10pm ET on ABC) titled “The Fast Times of Oscar Pistorius” travels to South Africa to dig deeper into the investigation. ABC News Correspondent Amy Robach speaks with those who know Oscar Pistorius best — including exclusive interviews with Dr. Gerry Versfeld, a longtime family friend and the doctor who amputated Oscar Pistorius’ legs; and Keven Lerena, a friend of both Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp who says he was present when Pistorius accidentally shot his pistol in a previous incident. Robach also sits down with Reeva Steenkamp’s former boyfriend and her roommate, among others, and re-creates Oscar Pistorius’ bedroom/bathroom for an inside look at what investigators – and the defense team — say might have happened that fateful night.

The March 1 hour of 20/20 also includes a report by Chris Connelly on Olympic athletes falling off the pedestal.

Another special airing this weekend is titled (rather tackily, in my opinion) Beauty & the Blade Runner, and premieres March 3 at 8pm ET/PT on Investigation Discovery (ID).  A co-production between ID and NBC News’ Peacock Productions (the first under their new partnership), this hourlong special features exclusive interviews with members of both Oscar Pistorius’ and Reeva Steenkamp’s inner circles, as well as key players in Pistorius’ pending trial. The special examines the couple’s relationship and what circumstantial evidence may have contributed to Steenkamp’s death. The program also goes inside Oscar Pistorius’ South Africa home to demonstrate how events unfolded at the time of Reeva Steenkamp’s death.

According to the release for Beauty & the Blade Runner, the special will use resources of the NBC News team with boots already on the ground in South Africa, and will feature interviews with key players in the upcoming trial, such as the spokesperson for The National Prosecuting Authority, Medupe Simasiku. Mary Carillo, who interviewed Pistorius last spring for Rock Center With Brian Williams, will also be featured. Friends and family of both Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp come forward to paint a picture of the couple’s life together, including Pistorius’ friend Terri Lee Mey, as well as Steenkamp’s publicist, Simphiwe Majola.

20/20: “The Fast Times of Oscar Pistorius” premieres March 1 at 10pm ET on ABC.

Beauty & the Blade Runner premieres March 3 at 8pm ET/PT on Investigation Discovery.

4 Comments

  1. I believe it was a terrible accident!! Helga, are you famous? Have you ever received death threats? Are you disabled? We cannot know what that is like or what he was feeling! Quit judging him unfairly.
    As a woman I find his story completely plausible. I don’t live in SA anymore and one of the main reasons is the crime. If I still lived there and was in the bathroom at night and heard my husband yell for me to call the cops, I would lock that damn door and keep absolutely silent until I heard it was safe to come out! What man do you know of who wouldn’t use his hands first if he were really angry? Happy relationship, not one other mark on her body? His story is indeed plausible. I give him the benefit of the doubt.

  2. I am shocked that anyone may think that Pistorius is
    not guilty of murder. His story just does not add up
    for anyone who has common sense. Why does the news media try to protect this man, just because of his fame? I did not hear any of the reporters pointing out why his story does not make sense. I find it appaling. He is guilty, guilty, guilty,there is no doubt in my mind.A beautiful live was destroyed and no one seems to care.

  3. We have lost so many heroes for our children to believe in. I truly hope, with all my heart, that this was simply a tragic accident and all can move on from as best as possible.

3 Trackbacks / Pingbacks

  1. Two new specials look at Oscar Pistorius case - Channel Guide Magazine (blog) ← Access Legal Advice
  2. In Olympic year, Oscar Pistorius became avid collector of American guns ... - Fox News ← Access Legal Advice
  3. TLC picks up British Oscar Pistorius documentary

Comments are closed.