Oscar Pistorius, the Paralympic Olympian runner who is accused of shooting and killing his model and reality TV star girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, is pursuing an out-of-court settlement through his lawyers.

Negotiations with the representatives of the parents of the late Reeva Steenkamp have been ongoing for months and, if no settlement is reached, it would look bad for the defendant at what is certain to be a high-profile trial in March.

"It definitely does provide material for the prosecution, to just niggle, a niggling question or two," said Stephen Tuson, a law professor and practicing attorney. "You paid. Why if you are innocent?"

Tuson also said that a court was "entitled to draw inferences" if Pistorius exercised his defendant's right in declining to answer questions regarding why he tried to pay Steenkamp's family compensation.

Lawyers for the Steenkamp family have said that the two sides have been in talks since August and a settlement could be in the region of $275,000. The settlement might be possible due to the fact that Reeva's parents relied financially on their model and TV star daughter.

The trial of South Africa's former Olympic hero will begin on Mar. 3, where he will face charges of murder and illegal possession of ammunition. Pistorius is alleged to have killed Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria on Feb. 14. The maximum punishment for premeditated murder in South Africa is a minimum of 25 years without parole

Pistorius has stuck to his story that he mistakenly shot his girlfriend, thinking she was an intruder in their home. Reports say that Pistorius would be in financial trouble if a conviction resulted in a large claim for the slain girl's family.  

In the case of a settlement, Pistorius will most likely seek non-disclosure clauses and insist the agreement is made without prejudice, meaning he does not admit any fault.