The “Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius broke down several times in a Pretoria Court, denying charged that he murdered his girlfriend and noted fashion model Reva Steenkamp in his luxurious home in a gated community.

The prosecution will argue that this is a case of “premeditated murder”; that the murder weapon, a 9mm pistol, has been recovered; and that no other suspects are sought.  The defense is insisting that the shooting was a tragic mistake and released a statement “our thoughts and prayers today should be” for the victim, Reeva Steenkamp, and her family.  Steenkamp was found shot four times in the head and hand.

For many, Steenkamp’s death is another example of the violence against women that has become so common in South African life.  Every year, 2,500 women are murdered in South Africa.  Rape is also a pervasive scourge.  President Jacob Zuma used his 2013 State of the Union Address to speak out on Violence Against Women and urge the nation to make combating violence against women an everyday campaign.  And editorial in a South African newspaper read, “The true tragedy of our country is that the abnormal is becoming the normal. Violent crime has transcended and redefined the benchmark of brutality — and we accept it.”

Pistorius is an international hero in Olympic and Paralympic Track and Field, becoming the first amputee fast enough to compete against able-bodied athletes at last year’s London Olympic Games.  He runs using prothetic carbon fiber blades in place of his feet which were amputated when he was an infant.  Pistorius earned Gold in the following Paralympics.

The judge adjourned the case until next week, giving the defense time to investigate the deadly shooting.