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Pistorius murder trial resumes | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The murder trial of Oscar Pistorius has resumed after a two-week break, with his defence team continuing its case. | |
More expert witnesses will be called as the athlete's lawyer seeks to challenge the state's claim that Mr Pistorius deliberately killed his girlfriend. | More expert witnesses will be called as the athlete's lawyer seeks to challenge the state's claim that Mr Pistorius deliberately killed his girlfriend. |
Mr Pistorius denies intentionally killing Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year. | Mr Pistorius denies intentionally killing Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year. |
He says he shot through a toilet door after mistaking her for an intruder. | He says he shot through a toilet door after mistaking her for an intruder. |
The trial was adjourned on 17 April for an Easter break after Mr Pistorius and two expert witnesses had given evidence for the defence. | The trial was adjourned on 17 April for an Easter break after Mr Pistorius and two expert witnesses had given evidence for the defence. |
The athlete faced several days of cross-examination from the state prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who accused him of using emotional outbursts "as an escape". | The athlete faced several days of cross-examination from the state prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who accused him of using emotional outbursts "as an escape". |
The BBC's Andrew Harding in Pretoria says the athlete's defence team is likely to call on his neighbours and a ballistics expert next. | The BBC's Andrew Harding in Pretoria says the athlete's defence team is likely to call on his neighbours and a ballistics expert next. |
A psychologist is also expected to be called to speak about Mr Pistorius' disability and his acute sense of vulnerability, our correspondent adds. | A psychologist is also expected to be called to speak about Mr Pistorius' disability and his acute sense of vulnerability, our correspondent adds. |
The prosecution has sought to show a pattern of reckless behaviour by the athlete and has argued that a reasonable man would have checked before firing four bullets through a locked door. | The prosecution has sought to show a pattern of reckless behaviour by the athlete and has argued that a reasonable man would have checked before firing four bullets through a locked door. |
If found guilty, the 27-year-old - a national sporting hero and double amputee dubbed the "blade runner" because of the prosthetic limbs he wears to race - could face life imprisonment. | If found guilty, the 27-year-old - a national sporting hero and double amputee dubbed the "blade runner" because of the prosthetic limbs he wears to race - could face life imprisonment. |
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 ultimately be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors. | There are no juries at trials in South Africa, and his fate will ultimately be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors. |