Pretoria , South Africa ( CNN ) -- During a swift pre-trial hearing Tuesday , a South African judge delayed Oscar Pistorius ' murder case for two months -- and warned that misconduct in the media could delay the process even longer . The hearing in Pretoria lasted only about 10 minutes . The magistrate granted the prosecution 's request to postpone the case until August 19 to allow for more time for the investigation . The judge addressed concerns Tuesday about the `` sanctity of judicial processes . '' He said there appears to be a trial by media , which could result in contempt of court . The judge 's comments came days after photos of the bloody scene from Pistorius ' home were leaked to the media . The Olympic and Paralympic track star made his first public appearance in months during the hearing Tuesday . The judge ordered Pistorius re-released on the same bail conditions he had before . The double-amputee sprinter is charged with premeditated murder for killing Reeva Steenkamp , a model and law school graduate , on Valentine 's Day . The date for the murder trial could be announced on August 19 -- which , incidentally , would have been Steenkamp 's 30th birthday . No one disputes that Pistorius killed his girlfriend ; the point of debate is whether he intended to kill her . Pistorius has said he thought an intruder was inside his house . He said he ran on his stumps to the bathroom , where he shot through a door four times . It was only upon returning to his bedroom , Pistorius said , that he realized Steenkamp was not in bed and that she was actually the one in the bathroom . But prosecutors said the act was a premeditated murder -- that Pistorius had an argument with Steenkamp , put on his prosthetic legs , walked to the bathroom , and shot through the door , intentionally killing his girlfriend . The high-profile case against the Olympic athlete has strained the nerves and patience of some South Africans . `` They 've had so much time to prepare the case against Oscar , and now we are expecting nothing more than a postponement , '' Gabi Zaharieva said shortly before the hearing . `` They really have to get going on this . '' CNN Exclusive : Photos show Steenkamp 's transformation . Taking refuge in uncle 's house . Pistorius has been living at his uncle 's house in Pretoria for the past three months . He has grown a beard because he does n't want to be recognized and has surrounded himself with photos of Reeva Steenkamp , his uncle said . `` He 's got photos in his room , photos all over the place , '' Arnold Pistorius told CNN 's Robyn Curnow . `` He 's housebound , you know . He does n't go out in public places . '' Arnold Pistorius described the his nephew 's grief as unimaginable . `` What can you say if the person you love the most dies , and you were the instrument ? How would you feel ? It 's unthinkable . '' Trouble with the investigation . The police investigation into the killing has been beset by problems and scandals since the start . Hilton Botha , the original lead investigator , admitted during Pistorius ' bail hearing that police had failed to wear protective shoe covers at the crime scene because they had run out of them , and that it was possible evidence had been damaged as a result . Botha also drew audible gasps from the packed courtroom when he testified that testosterone had been found at Pistorius ' house , before being forced to admit that he had n't actually read the full name of the substance . The sprinter 's lawyers testified that the substance was an herbal remedy . The Paralympian 's lawyers also got Botha to acknowledge that investigators had failed to collect any evidence that counters Pistorius ' argument that he mistakenly shot Steenkamp . But police spokesman Phuti Setati said authorities are confident Pistorius will be convicted . `` Nothing will distract the detectives from the case . They will remain on course to make sure that they secure a murder conviction . '' If convicted of premeditated murder , Pistorius could face life in prison -- which in practice typically amounts to 25 years , unless someone can prove extraordinary circumstances . But even if a judge finds him not guilty of premeditated murder , he could still face a charge of culpable homicide , which is based on negligence . The punishment for culpable homicide is at the court 's discretion . Not everyone surprised by Pistorius ' fall from grace . CNN 's Robin Curnow reported from Pretoria ; Holly Yan wrote from Atlanta . CNN 's Nkepile Mabuse , Nick Thompson , Hamilton Wende , Susannah Cullinane and Kim Norgaard contributed to this report .
The judge granted the prosecution 's request to delay the case until August 19 . The Olympic track star is accused of the murder in the death of his wife . Pistorius has said he thought he was shooting at a car .