Pistorious Detective Facing 7 Charges of Attempted Murder
About Michael John ScottMr. Scott is the owner and publisher of Mad Mike's America. He is a U.S. Army veteran, career law enforcement executive, and dog trainer. He is a university professor, and criminal justice consultant, holding several degrees, including a master's in criminal justice and human services. He has completed the requisite coursework toward his doctorate, and is still working on his dissertation.
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It’s getting crazy in South Africa, then again, it’s always been crazy in South Africa. Today’s revelation however, is startling even by their wild standards as word leaks out that the lead detective in the investigation into the death of Reeva Steenkamp allegedly at the hands of Olympic winner Oscar Pistorius.
Investigating officer Hilton Botha sits inside the court witness box during the Oscar Pistorius bail hearing at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013.
(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
As questions arise about his claims against Oscar Pistorius, the lead officer in the athlete’s case is facing some serious troubles of his own. Detective Hilton Botha has been charged with seven counts of attempted murder, the BBC reports. The charges had been dropped after a 2011 arrest; yesterday, they were leveled again, Sky News reports. According to Sky, Botha has been dropped from the Pistorius case, but the BBC and AP suggest that isn’t certain.
Botha’s arrest came after he and two other officers in a government vehicle allegedly opened fire on a packed minibus. They were said to be drunk. Given the charges, “we can take action and see if we remove him from the investigation or if he stays,” says a rep for Pistorius’ prosecutors. They didn’t know about Botha’s charges when he took the witness stand, they say. Botha is due for a court date in May, a police rep says.
UPDATE: At this writing South African police have decided to keep Botha on the Pistorius case, at least for now.
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James Smith
February 21, 2013 at 8:29 am
As if this case was not gong to be complex enough, now the waters are even more muddied. Johnny Cochran would have a field day with this one.
Rachael
February 21, 2013 at 9:00 am
It’s like the Wild, Wild West in South Africa. We lived there in the 90′s, for about 6 months, and believe me it’s an experience. Sad, really, as it is such a beautiful place.