South African Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius 'On Verge Of Suicide'
https://nigeriaafrica1.blogspot.com/2013/03/south-african-blade-runner-oscar.html
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius, accused of killing his girlfriend, may be "on the verge of suicide", a close family friend has told the reporters.
The sportsman was a "broken man" after rising legal costs forced him to sell his belongings, Mike Azzie said.
Mr Azzie made the comments in a BBC3 documentary about the case, in which Mr Pistorius denies murder.
Meanwhile, lawyers for the Paralympic champion have filed an appeal to ease his bail restrictions.
Mr Pistorius, who is on trial for shooting model Reeva Steenkamp at his home last month, denies the charges of premeditated murder, saying he mistook her for an intruder.
He was released on bail on 22 February and is due to appear in court again in June.
Mr Azzie, who has been in regular contact with the athlete, said he was worried about his mental and emotional state.
Mr Azzie, known by Mr Pistorius as "uncle Mike", said the Olympic athlete had been forced to sell his race horses to cover the spiralling legal fees.
He has no confidence in his tone of voice and he is almost like someone that is walking around in circles and doesn't know where he is going," Mr Azzie said in the forthcoming BBC3 documentary, Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened?
"I would say that, just speaking to him, he is a broken man. I would go as far as to say that he could be on the verge of suicide. It really worries me."
Mr Azzie added that Mr Pistorius frequently talked about Ms Steenkamp and her family.
"He just always seems to mention Reeva and asks us to pray for her and her family," he said in the interview, due to be broadcast on Tuesday.
Mr Azzie made the comments in a BBC3 documentary about the case, in which Mr Pistorius denies murder.
Meanwhile, lawyers for the Paralympic champion have filed an appeal to ease his bail restrictions.
Mr Pistorius, who is on trial for shooting model Reeva Steenkamp at his home last month, denies the charges of premeditated murder, saying he mistook her for an intruder.
He was released on bail on 22 February and is due to appear in court again in June.
Mr Azzie, who has been in regular contact with the athlete, said he was worried about his mental and emotional state.
Mr Azzie, known by Mr Pistorius as "uncle Mike", said the Olympic athlete had been forced to sell his race horses to cover the spiralling legal fees.
He has no confidence in his tone of voice and he is almost like someone that is walking around in circles and doesn't know where he is going," Mr Azzie said in the forthcoming BBC3 documentary, Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened?
"I would say that, just speaking to him, he is a broken man. I would go as far as to say that he could be on the verge of suicide. It really worries me."
Mr Azzie added that Mr Pistorius frequently talked about Ms Steenkamp and her family.
"He just always seems to mention Reeva and asks us to pray for her and her family," he said in the interview, due to be broadcast on Tuesday.
