Oscar Pistorius was awarded bail Friday in the case where he’s been accused of murdering his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp.

The magistrate in the case announced that bail had been set after a week of testimony. The case has made international headlines after Steenkamp, 29, was shot dead in Pistorius’ South Africa home on Valentine’s Day. He claimed he mistook her for someone who had broken into the residence, but prosecutors say it was premeditated.

Lawyers for Pistorius said his fame precludes him from being a flight risk and he needed bail in order to effectively prepare for a trial, which is not expected to begin for several months.

If convicted of murder, Pistorius, 26, can be sentenced to life in prison.

Pistorius became an international star after competing in the Olympics last summer, even though he has two prosthetic legs made of carbon fiber.

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