Olympic 'Blade Runner' accused in murder case granted bail

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) - Double-amputee track star Oscar Pistorius will be allowed to go free as he awaits trial in the Valentine's Day shooting death of his girlfriend.

A magistrate in South Africa granted bail today after four days of arguments from prosecutors and defense lawyers.

He said the affidavit from Pistorius, in which he gave his version of the events that took place in his home, had helped his application for bail.

Pistorius is accused of shooting and killing model Reeva Steenkamp in the predawn hours of Feb. 14. The athlete says he shot her accidentally, thinking she was an intruder in his house. Prosecutors say the shooting followed a loud argument between the two. They say he intended to kill her, and they've charged him with premeditated murder.

Pistorius last year became the first double-amputee runner to compete in the Olympics. He is known as the Blade Runner because of the high-tech artificial legs he uses.