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Oscar Pistorius trial: Gerrie Nel resumes cross-examination Oscar Pistorius trial: Gerrie Nel starts final questioning
(35 minutes later)
The cross-examination of South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has resumed at his murder trial in Pretoria. The final day of cross-examination of South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has started at his murder trial in Pretoria.
The prosecution has been challenging his version of events on the night he shot dead his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in February last year.The prosecution has been challenging his version of events on the night he shot dead his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in February last year.
The double-amputee runner denies murder, insisting that he mistook Ms Steenkamp for an intruder.The double-amputee runner denies murder, insisting that he mistook Ms Steenkamp for an intruder.
He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of premeditated murder.He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of premeditated murder.
On Monday, prosecutor Gerrie Nel suggested the athlete was staging emotional outbursts to mask his difficulty in answering a barrage of probing questions. Before the hearing resumed, prosecutor Gerrie Nel said that he hoped to finish cross-examining the athlete on Tuesday.
He then asked Judge Masipa to adjourn the case over the Easter holidays, until 5 May.
He said members of his team were engaged in "more pressing" cases, which needed their attention, as well as "personal arrangements".
The request was supported by the defence, who said the case should still finish on 16 May, as planned. The judge said she would deliver her judgement on this request on Wednesday.
On Monday, Mr Nel suggested the athlete was staging emotional outbursts to mask his difficulty in answering a barrage of probing questions.
Judge Thokozile Masipa temporarily halted proceedings on two occasions on Monday after Mr Pistorius broke down sobbing.Judge Thokozile Masipa temporarily halted proceedings on two occasions on Monday after Mr Pistorius broke down sobbing.
Shortly before the case adjourned for the day, Mr Nel said: "You're getting emotional now because you're getting frustrated because your version [of events] is improbable."Shortly before the case adjourned for the day, Mr Nel said: "You're getting emotional now because you're getting frustrated because your version [of events] is improbable."
The prosecutor, known as the "bull terrier" for his fierce style of questioning, then asked: "You're not using your emotional state as an escape, are you?"The prosecutor, known as the "bull terrier" for his fierce style of questioning, then asked: "You're not using your emotional state as an escape, are you?"
Mr Pistorius said he had not been in a "rational frame of mind'' at the time of the shooting.Mr Pistorius said he had not been in a "rational frame of mind'' at the time of the shooting.
Earlier, Mr Nel again pressed Mr Pistorius on the moment he shot Ms Steenkamp.Earlier, Mr Nel again pressed Mr Pistorius on the moment he shot Ms Steenkamp.
The athlete insisted he had not intended to kill anyone, saying: "I fired out of fear."The athlete insisted he had not intended to kill anyone, saying: "I fired out of fear."
Mr Nel then said Mr Pistorius was changing his story from self-defence to saying he shot by accident.Mr Nel then said Mr Pistorius was changing his story from self-defence to saying he shot by accident.
The prosecutor said this was because the truth was: "You fired at Reeva."The prosecutor said this was because the truth was: "You fired at Reeva."
"It's not true," Mr Pistorius replied, bursting into tears and prompting the court to adjourn briefly."It's not true," Mr Pistorius replied, bursting into tears and prompting the court to adjourn briefly.
Mr Pistorius said he and Ms Steenkamp had spent a quiet evening together before he woke up on hearing a noise in the bathroom.Mr Pistorius said he and Ms Steenkamp had spent a quiet evening together before he woke up on hearing a noise in the bathroom.
Prosecution witnesses have testified to hearing a woman scream, but the defence disputes their testimony.Prosecution witnesses have testified to hearing a woman scream, but the defence disputes their testimony.
If Mr Pistorius is acquitted of murder, the court must consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could receive about 15 years in prison.If Mr Pistorius is acquitted of murder, the court must consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could receive about 15 years in prison.
He also faces charges of illegally firing a gun in public and of illegally possessing ammunition, both of which he denies.He also faces charges of illegally firing a gun in public and of illegally possessing ammunition, both of which he denies.
There are no juries at trials in South Africa, and his fate will be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors.There are no juries at trials in South Africa, and his fate will be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors.
Oscar Pistorius is known as the "Blade Runner" because of the carbon-fibre prosthetics he uses on the track.Oscar Pistorius is known as the "Blade Runner" because of the carbon-fibre prosthetics he uses on the track.