Pistorius’ brother faces own homicide trial

The brother of Oscar Pistorius, the Paralympic star on trial for murdering his girlfriend, is also facing charges for killing a woman, local media have reported.

The trial of Carl Pistorius, who is charged with culpable homicide, will start at the end of the month, Oscar’s lawyer, Kenny Oldwage, confirmed to South Africa’s eNCA TV.

The woman was reportedly killed on her motorcycle in a traffic accident in 2008, which the car being driven by Carl was also involved in.

His trial was supposed to have started earlier this month, one day before Oscar’s began. It was unclear why it was delayed. 

A family statement said Carl appeared before a judge on Thursday and would be in court again.

Carl declined comment as he entered the home of an uncle in Pretoria on Sunday. The house where Oscar, 26, has been staying since being granted bail on Friday until his trial for the premeditated murder of model Reeva Steenkamp on February 14.

Oscar denies murder, saying he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder.

The family statement quoted lawyer Kenny Oldwage as saying: “There is no doubt that Carl is innocent and the charge will be challenged in court. Carl deeply regrets the accident.

“Blood tests conducted by the police at the time proved that he had not been under the influence of alcohol, confirming that it was a tragic road accident after the deceased collided with Carl’s car.”

Contacted by Reuters, Oldwage declined further comment. The family statement said charges had at one stage been withdrawn but then reinstated.