Oscar Pistorius ‘wept’ through first court appearance after girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp’s death (VIDEO)

PRETORIA, South Africa — Oscar Pistorius wept throughout his first court appearance since being charged in the Valentine’s Day murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The 26-year-old double amputee sprinter wore a suit and stood with his head bowed at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where he was formally charged with a single count of murder.

Read more from GlobalPost: Pistorius shooting highlights South Africa's crime problem

Pistorius then broke down in tears, and cradled his face in his hands.

His family including brother Carl, sister Aimee and father Henke sat behind him in the courtroom, which was packed beyond capacity with media.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said the state intends on pursuing a charge of pre-meditated murder against Pistorius.

The sprinter denies the charge.

In a statement issued shortly after Friday's hearing, his family and management said Pistorius disputed Steenkamp's alleged murder "in the strongest terms," and sent his condolences to her family.

Magistrate Desmond Nair postponed his bail hearing to Tuesday.

Until then, Pistorius will remain at a Pretoria police station.

Steenkamp, 29, was shot and killed in the early hours of Thursday at Pistorius' luxury home on a gated estate in Pretoria.

The Afrikaans-language newspaper Beeld reported Friday that Pistorius had shot his girlfriend four times through a bathroom door.

"The security guards found Pistorius by Miss Steenkamp's body in the bathroom," the Beeld report said. "The door had bullet holes right through it."

Here is video of Pistorius's arrival at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on February 15th.