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Oscar Pistorius branded 'deceitful' as trial nears end Pistorius told 'snowball of lies,' says prosecution
(about 2 hours 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 told the court a "snowball of lies", 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.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel began his concluding remarks on Thursday, with the defence due to follow on Friday.
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. His 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 said the court "should have no difficulty in rejecting" the athlete's version of events because it was "devoid of any truth".
Mr Pistorius told so many lies in such a short space of time, Mr Nel said, that they had a "snowball effect" and forced him to tell more.
He also attacked Mr Pistorius for presenting himself as "a victim of circumstance."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.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.
ShowdownShowdown
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 Karen Allen in Pretoria says Mr Nel is seeking to build a picture of a man who knew the consequences of his actions.
The evidence of neighbours and forensic experts will be important - but the athlete's own testimony is crucial, our correspondent says. The defence team has sought to portray Mr Pistorius as vulnerable due to his disability and anxious because of his difficult childhood in a country with a high crime rate.
The prosecution is convinced he gave conflicting accounts of how and why the double amputee shot Ms Steenkamp four times through his toilet door. But Mr Nel said the athlete had anxiety "on call", suggesting that he had manufactured a fear of crime to help his defence.
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. Last month, a psychiatric report said Mr Pistorius had post-traumatic stress disorder but no mental illness that could prevent him being held criminally responsible for his actions.
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 Thokozile Masipa, a subdued presence in the trial so far, had been expected to intervene more in the closing statements and perhaps provide hints about a future verdict
But the BBC's Africa correspondent, Andrew Harding, says she rarely interjected in Thursday morning's proceedings.
Oscar Pistorius' 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.