He’s the double amputee who became a global star after winning six Paralympic golds and then competing in the Olympics. She was the law graduate cover-girl.
Global media attention, bar-stool conversation and pillow talk will shift from the Oscars on Sunday night to Oscar on Monday when the Blade Runner straps on his prosthetic limbs for the long walk to the high court.
Oscar Pistorius (27) faces life in prison if found guilty of the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp (29) on St Valentine’s Day 2013.
His fate rests in the hands of a former crime reporter judge, Thokozile Matilda Masipa, who has with a history of stiff sentences. There will be no jury.
Paddy Power is joining the debate by offering customers an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is — on the outcome of the murder trial.
From horses and football to politics and religion, Paddy Power’s Money-Back Specials have always offered punters an insurance policy against results that don’t go your way.
In this case, it’s Money Back If He Walks. The ‘Money Back If He Walks’ angle comes amid global media interest in the trial, including a dedicated 24-hour television channel.
Paddy Power said: “With the eyes of the world on South Africa next week, savvy punters will be very keen for a courtroom flutter. Who can tell at this point what will unfold? But one thing’s for sure, trial verdicts don’t come much bigger than this.”
Updated
Paddy Power have always offered betting on a wide range of sports, current affairs, politics, and other events of major public interest. The Pistorius trial was one of those events. Some people felt that by offering betting we were in some way condoning domestic violence or trivialising murder. That was absolutely not the case; we categorically do not condone domestic violence or murder. To those offended we would like to say sorry.