Oscar Pistorius documentary for Channel 5

Channel 5 are to air a documentary concerning the murder trial of sportsman Oscar Pistorius, who is accused of killing his partner.

Next month, Oscar Pistorius (pictured in Paralympic publicity) appears in court for the first time since getting bail.

It’s set to be the trial of the century, one that has already got the world talking – one of the world’s most famous athletes stands accused of murdering his glamorous girlfriend, but he claims it was a tragic accident. Firing four shots through a locked toilet door, he says he believed a burglar had entered his house through an open bathroom window, and, terrified for his life and on his stumps, he took immediate action. But is he telling the truth, or is his version an elaborately constructed lie?

Channel 5 have hired two of South Africa’s highly experienced lawyers to argue through the key questions that will arise in the upcoming trial, in a purpose built replica of the Blade Runner’s bedroom and bathroom: Was it so dark Oscar couldn’t have seen if Reeva was in bed? Did he put on his prosthetic legs before firing? Could witnesses have heard arguing from 300 metres away and what clues were left at the scene of the crime?

Commissioning Editor Channel 5 Sam Barcroft, Creative Director of Barcroft Productions said “Blanket news coverage means everyone now has a view on what happened on the night of Reeva’s death – and this special analyses the evidence that will prove crucial during Oscar’s trial. Using an adventurous and forensic approach, we enable viewers to get to grips with the trial of the century.”

The film will delve into the details of Oscar’s relationship with Reeva, with guns, and the key events of the fateful day. And in a series of forensic tests our lawyers will examine the key pieces of evidence on which the trial – and Pistorius’ fate – hangs. So should the Blade Runner go down? Or should he leave court a free man? At the end of this film you’ll know what you think…

The programme will air on Channel 5 in June and was commissioned by Simon Raikes.