'Blade Runner' Pistorius prosecutors to pursue premeditate murder

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) - Oscar Pistorius held his head in his hands and wept openly in court on Friday as prosecutors said they would pursue a charge of premeditated murder against the Paralympic superstar.

Pistorius was formally charged at Pretoria Magistrate's Court with one count of murder after his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, a model and budding reality TV show participant, was shot and killed at Pistorius' upmarket home in the predawn hours of Thursday.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said Friday in court it was premeditated murder, indicating the prosecution would file that more serious charge, upgraded from murder.

The double-amputee athlete's arrest and murder charge has left South Africa reeling after the model's shooting death at Pistorius' house in an eastern suburb of the South African capital Pretoria.