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South Africa: Pistorius accosted at nightclub, family says

Oscar Pistorius attends court at his murder trial for the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on St. Valentine's Day 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Pistroius' lawyer Barry Roux says he has closed his case, and the judge says final arguments will be held in court on Aug. 7 and 8. (AP Photo/Alon Skuy, Pool)

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Oscar Pistorius recently visited a nightclub with a cousin and was accosted by a man who aggressively questioned him about his murder trial, his family said Tuesday.

Oscar Pistorius attends court at his murder trial for the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on St. Valentine’s Day 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Pistroius’ lawyer Barry Roux says he has closed his case, and the judge says final arguments will be held in court on Aug. 7 and 8. (AP Photo/Alon Skuy, Pool)

Anneliese Burgess, a spokeswoman for the Pistorius family, said an argument followed and the athlete, who is free on bail, soon left the club. He had been seated in a quiet booth in the VIP section, she said in a statement.

My client regrets the decision to go to a public space and thereby inviting unwelcome attention, Burgess said.

The altercation happened Saturday night in Sandton, an upscale area in Johannesburg, according to South African media.

Pistorius says he fatally shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his home last year by mistake, thinking an intruder was about to attack him. Prosecutors say he intentionally killed Steenkamp after an argument.

Closing arguments will be held Aug. 7-8.

Pistorius faces 25 years to life in prison if found guilty of premeditated murder. He could also be sentenced to a shorter prison term if convicted of murder without premeditation or negligent killing. Additionally, he faces separate gun-related charges.

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