Oscar Pistorius Murder Case: Track Star Granted Bail, Not Deemed a Flight Risk by Judge

Decision comes after famed sprinter was charged with premeditated murder in the death of his girlfriend on Valentine's Day

Oscar Pistorius has been granted bail.

The decision to release the track star from custody was made in a Pretoria, South Africa, courtroom on Friday by Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair, who ruled there was no risk Pistorius would flee, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The ruling is a blow to prosecutors, who had wanted bail denied after the double-amputee sprinter had been charged earlier in the week with premeditated murder for the Valentine's Day death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

However, Judge Nair stated that the state had failed to provide evidence indicating Pistorius was a flight risk.

In the courtroom on Friday, Pistorius is said to have sobbed as Nair recounted last week's shooting prior to the ruling.

According to CNN, bail was set at $114,000 and Pistorius will be required to turn over his passport. Upon being released, he will not be alowed to return to the home where the alleged crime took place.