Oscar Pistorius is pictured with Reeva Steenkamp in Johannesburg, South Africa, in January.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Prosecutors have said they intend to upgrade the charge to premeditated murder
- The funeral for his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, will take place Tuesday
- Official: Steenkamp was shot four times through a bathroom door in Pistorius' home
- Pistorius has rejected the murder allegation "in the strongest terms," his agent said
Pretoria, South Africa (CNN) -- With his hands clasped in front of him, Oscar Pistorius arrived in a South African court Tuesday to seek bail as authorities accuse him of murdering his girlfriend.
The global sports hero known as the "Blade Runner" walked in wearing a blue shirt and gray suit as frenzied photographers snapped away, prompting a magistrate to demand they stop.
South African prosecutors have said they intend to upgrade the charge to premeditated murder.
As they stated that Pistorius "shot and killed an innocent woman," Pistorius buried his head in his hands and sobbed loudly.
The last time the world saw images of Pistorius, the track star was sobbing during a court hearing Friday, crumbling as he heard that heavy, hideous word: murder.
It's a far cry from the packed stadiums that erupted in applause for the double-amputee who dared to compete against men with legs.
Police have released little about a possible motive in the Valentine's Day shooting of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp. Early on, local media suggested Pistorius had mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder.
South African authorities have stressed that the scenario did not come from them, and said there was no evidence of forced entry at the home.
Items found in Pistorius' home suggest Steenkamp intended to stay the night. She had an overnight bag and her iPad.
Steenkamp was shot four times through a bathroom door in Pistorius' upscale Pretoria home, a South African official familiar with a case said Monday.
The 29-year-old model was alive after she was shot, and Pistorius carried her wounded body downstairs, said the official, who was not authorized to release details to the media.
Police were alerted to the shooting by neighbors, and residents had "heard things earlier," spokeswoman Denise Beukes said.
A police spokeswoman said there had been "previous incidents" at the home, including "allegations of a domestic nature." They did not detail what those may been.
Detectives are investigating a blood-stained cricket bat in the home, Johannesburg's City Press newspaper reported, and are trying to determine whether it was used to attack Steenkamp, if she used the bat in self-defense, or if Pistorius used it to try to break down the bathroom door.
Pistorius, 26, has rejected the murder allegation "in the strongest terms," his agent said in a statement.
Meanwhile, friends and family will mourn Steenkamp at a private funeral service in her hometown of Port Elizabeth.
On Sunday, South Africans heard Steenkamp's voice one last time after her death, when the national broadcaster aired a pre-recorded reality TV show featuring the model discussing her exit from "Tropika Island of Treasure," on which local celebrities compete for prize money.
"I'm going to miss you all so much and I love you very, very much," she said, blowing a kiss to the camera.
Robyn Curnow reported from South Africa; Holly Yan reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN's Nkepile Mabuse also contributed to this report.
Pistorius in court as slain girlfriend is laid to rest
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Pistorius in court as slain girlfriend is laid to rest
