AMPUTEE RUNNER OSCAR PISTORIUS FACING POTENTIAL LIFE IMPRISONMENT IN NOTORIUS SOUTH AFRICAN PRISON.............

The South African Olympian and Paralympic double amputee competitor known as the," Blade Runner", Oscar Pistorius, accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend Reeva Steebkamp, a 30 year old fashion model on Valentine's Day, faces life imprisonment if found guilty and immediately faces incarceration in a notoriusly brutal prison, if he is not granted bail until his trial for murder begins.  In what has been a four day bail hearing today the defense and prosecution continued contending with each other before the Chief Mafistrate over the advisablity and granting of bail for the accused athletic hero.  A decision on the matter of granting bail to Pistorius with its serious ramifications for him netween the present and the start of his trial is expected to be arrived at on Friday.  If he is not granted bail, the 26 year old athlete will be placed in Pretoria Central Prison, well known for its reputation as a fearsome jail, going back to South Africa's Apartheid era, with years of allegations surrounding it as rampant with violence, including rape; cramped quarters, and an inner sanctum where previously apartheid prisoners were detained.  Concern is also being raised as to what if any provision will be made for Pistorius' physical disability of double amputation and whether he will be permitted to wear his prostheses, or will be made to use a wheelchair instead.  The Pretoria Central Prison and all prisons in South Africa are overcrowded and full of unrest.  Pistorius will be incarcerated in a communal dormitory measuring 30 feet by 100 feet, accomdating 17 prisoner bunk beds.  Very recently six inmates brought a lawsuit against the prison for, "inhumane living conditions".  The highly respeccted criminologist Laurie Pieters, in an interview with the British newspaper, "The Daily Telegraph"; said, "Prison in South Africa is notoriously a very dangerous place"..."Everybody knows who he is".  She went on to describe how rival gangs could contest for his money, by threatening him and / or protecting him.  At today's session of the bail hearing, Pistorius' chief defense attorney strongly argued the case for bail to keep him out of having to face the realities of the Central Prison before going on trial, as the accused openly sobbed again, as the charges of murfering his giorlfriend were read out loud.  He did his best to build the momentum for bail, by attacking the charges brought by investigating detective Hilton Botha, who was today reported on by South Africa's Eyewitness News as himself being a party to an alleged shooting two years ago and is accused of seven counts of attempted murder.  Pistorius' defense attorney Roux summarizing his appeal for bail, argued using holes in Botha's investigative report, proclaiming that there is, "nothing to support that Pistorius be further incarcerated".  The head prosecuting attorney Nei, argued that the accused story is, "untested", having been submitted only by an affavdavit not personal court testimony, through, " cross-exanination".  A woman thought to be the ex-wife of Oscar Pistorius' surgeon, earlier in the day requested the suspending of the case instead seeking a mental evaluation of the athlete be undertaken.  To Be Continued as developments warrant.............Fr.  Troy