Oscar Pistorius Breaks Down
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, was awarded bail on Friday (file photo). Reuters

Trish Taylor, the mother of Oscar Pistorius’ former girlfriend Samantha Taylor, accused the South African Paralympic sprinter of being reckless with his guns after he was charged with murder for the death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

In a post on Facebook, Taylor alleged that Pistorius had shown lapses in judgment when using his guns around her daughter and said she was grateful that Samantha was out of his “clutches.”

"I am so glad that Sammy is safe and sound and out of the clutches of that man,” Taylor wrote in a Facebook post, according to the Herald Sun. “There were a few occasions where things could have gone wrong with her and his gun during the time they dated. My condolences to the family whose daughter has passed away. My heart breaks for you.”

Samantha Taylor, a marketing student who modeled part-time, dated Pistorius last October when she was 18, the Daily Mail reported. After their breakup, Taylor spoke harshly of Pistorius to the press. After learning about the star athlete’s newly publicized relationship with another blonde model, Steenkamp, Taylor told South Africa’s City Press, "Oscar has such a way with women. She's probably not the only one he's got."

Taylor added, "Oscar is certainly not what people think he is.”

Steenkamp, 30, was discovered by police in a puddle of her own blood after being shot four times. Katlego Mogale, a police spokeswoman, said that law enforcement officials discovered a 9 mm pistol at the crime scene, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Pistorius, who made history by competing in the Olympics as the first double amputee sprinter, previously talking about how his disability made him feel more defenseless against being attacked by an intruder.

“When I’m in bed and don’t have my legs on, I know there’s nothing I can do if someone breaks in,” Pistorius said.

Although his home in the gated Silverlakes community of Pretoria boasts 10-foot-high walls, and a perimeter surrounded by wired fencing, Pistorius still expressed concern that an intruder might break in with the aid of security guards.

“The problem is when the guards are in on the crime. It’s usually safe in guarded estates like this until that happens,” Pistorius said.

In light of the recent murder charges against Pistorius, a lawyer representing Taylor wrote to the City Press and asked them to retract Taylor’s previous statement. “We have considered our client’s communication with you and request you to disregard it. Our client withdraws her statements,” the lawyer wrote.

But another ex-girlfriend of Pistorius’, Jenna Edkins, jumped into the fray to defend Pistorius.

"All I am saying is let him speak, let his side be heard without jumping to conclusions," Edkins tweeted, offering “love and support” to his family. "I have dated Oscar on and off for 5 YEARS, NOT ONCE has he EVER lifted a finger to me or made me fear for my life."

Early media reports alleged that Pistorius had been surprised by Steenkamp and mistaken her for a burglar.