Prosecutors: Pistorius trial early next year

JOHANNESBURG — Prosecutors say Oscar Pistorius will be indicted for premeditated murder on Monday and he will go on trial in early 2014 for shooting dead his girlfriend.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Medupe Simasiku tells The Associated Press the exact date for the trial has not yet been set and will likely be decided on Monday, the double-amputee Olympian’s next appearance in court.

Simasiku declined to comment Friday on South African media reports that charges will be added relating to Pistorius allegedly discharging a firearm recklessly in two other incidents.

But Simasiku said the main charge on the indictment would “definitely” be premeditated murder, meaning Pistorius faces a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years in prison if convicted on that charge.

Pistorius denies murder.