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Oscar Pistorius branded 'deceitful' as trial nears end | Oscar Pistorius branded 'deceitful' as trial nears end |
(35 minutes later) | |
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been accused of being a "deceitful witness" who dropped the "baton of truth", at the start of closing arguments in his trial for murder. | South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been accused of being a "deceitful witness" who dropped the "baton of truth", at the start of closing arguments in his trial for murder. |
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel began his concluding remarks on Thursday, with the defence due to follow on Friday. | |
Mr Pistorius denies murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. | Mr Pistorius denies murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. |
He says he mistook her for an intruder, but the prosecution says he deliberately shot her after a row. | He says he mistook her for an intruder, but the prosecution says he deliberately shot her after a row. |
Ms Steenkamp was killed at Mr Pistorius' home in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, on 14 February last year. | Ms Steenkamp was killed at Mr Pistorius' home in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, on 14 February last year. |
The long-running trial was adjourned last month ahead of closing arguments. | The long-running trial was adjourned last month ahead of closing arguments. |
At the court in Pretoria, Mr Nel began his closing argument by accusing the athlete's lawyers of presenting two lines of defence that "can never be reconciled". | At the court in Pretoria, Mr Nel began his closing argument by accusing the athlete's lawyers of presenting two lines of defence that "can never be reconciled". |
Mr Pistorius said he had fired both involuntarily and also out of fear, Mr Nel argued, insisting the court had to choose only one of his defences. | Mr Pistorius said he had fired both involuntarily and also out of fear, Mr Nel argued, insisting the court had to choose only one of his defences. |
He said the court "should have no difficulty in rejecting" the athlete's version of events because it was "devoid of any truth". | |
He also attacked Mr Pistorius for presenting himself as "a victim of circumstance." | |
Mr Pistorius' estranged father, Henke, was in the packed courtroom for the first time during the trial. It was also the first time that Barry Steenkamp, Reeva's father, had attended. | |
Showdown | Showdown |
The BBC's Africa correspondent, Andrew Harding, says Mr Nel will explain in detail during his remarks why he believes he has proved that Mr Pistorius deliberately murdered his girlfriend. | The BBC's Africa correspondent, Andrew Harding, says Mr Nel will explain in detail during his remarks why he believes he has proved that Mr Pistorius deliberately murdered his girlfriend. |
The evidence of neighbours and forensic experts will be important - but the athlete's own testimony is crucial, our correspondent says. | The evidence of neighbours and forensic experts will be important - but the athlete's own testimony is crucial, our correspondent says. |
The prosecution is convinced he gave conflicting accounts of how and why the double amputee shot Ms Steenkamp four times through his toilet door. | The prosecution is convinced he gave conflicting accounts of how and why the double amputee shot Ms Steenkamp four times through his toilet door. |
Judge Thokozile Masipa - a subdued presence so far - is now likely to intervene more and her questions could well provide hints about a future verdict. | Judge Thokozile Masipa - a subdued presence so far - is now likely to intervene more and her questions could well provide hints about a future verdict. |
Oscar Pistorius's lawyer, Barry Roux, will give his closing remarks after Mr Nel, in what correspondents say is the final showdown between two of South Africa's top legal minds. | |
Judge Masipa is expected to adjourn the trial after hearing the arguments to consider her ruling, a process that analysts say will take in between a week to a month. | Judge Masipa is expected to adjourn the trial after hearing the arguments to consider her ruling, a process that analysts say will take in between a week to a month. |
There is no jury. | There is no jury. |
If found guilty of murder, the 27-year-old, who went on trial on 3 March, could face life imprisonment. | If found guilty of murder, the 27-year-old, who went on trial on 3 March, could face life imprisonment. |
If he is acquitted of that charge, the court will consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could - if convicted - receive about 15 years in prison. | If he is acquitted of that charge, the court will consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could - if convicted - receive about 15 years in prison. |