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Oscar Pistorius trial: Closing arguments presented in court as verdict looms Oscar Pistorius trial: Closing arguments presented in court as verdict looms
(35 minutes later)
The prosecution in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial launched a scathing attack on the athlete as it presented its closing arguments against him. The prosecution in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial launched a scathing attack against the athlete, calling for his testimony to be rejected, as it presented its closing arguments against him.
State prosecutor Gerrie Nel accused the athlete of being a "deceitful witness" and claimed he had consistently tailored his version of events, changing his defence three times because his testimony was "weak". State prosecutor Gerrie Nel accused the athlete of being a "deceitful and appalling witness" and claimed he had consistently tailored his version of events because his testimony was "weak" and his answers "vague".
"We will argue that the accused's version should be rejected," Nel told the North Gauteng High Court. "If the accused version is rejected it means my lady that there was no perceived intruder whatsoever.""We will argue that the accused's version should be rejected," Nel told the North Gauteng High Court. "If the accused version is rejected it means my lady that there was no perceived intruder whatsoever."
Mr Nel also argued his legal team failed to provide evidence and test results, including sound and vision, that would back up Pistorius's version and suggested that its own expert witnesses had contradicted the defence's case at times. He described Pistorius as a witness who was more "concerned about the implications of his answers" than giving a "truthful version", telling the court that Pistorius himself admitted he was "defending for his life" in his testimony.
"That's why the mendacity was so striking," he added. "The accused was tailoring the version and was more concerned with the implications of his answers than the truth."
Mr Nel also argued his legal team failed to provide evidence and test results, including sound and vision, that would back up Pistorius's version and suggested its own expert witnesses had contradicted the defence's case at times.
"The defence failed to call any witnesses to substantiate his version, " Mr Nel added. "The question is why?""The defence failed to call any witnesses to substantiate his version, " Mr Nel added. "The question is why?"
Throughout the trial, the prosecution has portrayed Pistorius as a gun-loving, possessive young man with an inflated ego who would often snap at friends, family and romantic partners, citing the testimony of a former girlfriend who claimed Pistorius shouted at her and text messages between the athlete and Reeva Steenkamp, where she wrote: "I'm scared of you." The prosecutor went on to list what he described as objective facts: Reeva Steenkamp was fully clothed when she was shot, had locked herself inside the toilet cubicle and taken her mobile phone with her, adding: "If his version is rejected, those are the facts the court will find and make inferences from."
Pistorius is accused of murdering girlfriend Ms Steenkamp in his upscale home in Pretoria on Valentine's Day last year. He also faces three separate charges, including two counts of discharging firearms in public and possession of illegal ammunition. He denies all charges and claims he shot Ms Steenkamp by mistake, thinking there was a burglar in the apartment Throughout the trial, the prosecution has portrayed Pistorius as a gun-loving, possessive young man with an inflated ego who would often snap at friends, family and romantic partners, citing the testimony of a former girlfriend who claimed Pistorius shouted at her and text messages between the athlete and Ms Steenkamp, where she wrote: "I'm scared of you."
Pistorius is accused of murdering girlfriend Ms Steenkamp in his upscale home in Pretoria on Valentine's Day last year. He also faces three separate charges, including two counts of discharging firearms in public and possession of illegal ammunition. He denies all charges and claims he shot Ms Steenkamp by mistake, thinking there was a burglar.
Pistorius faces a mandatory life sentence which usually carries a minimum of 25 years in jail if found guilty of premeditated murder, though mitigation could reduce it in this case. If found guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, he could face 15 years or a non-custodial sentence. Pistorius is currently free on bail.Pistorius faces a mandatory life sentence which usually carries a minimum of 25 years in jail if found guilty of premeditated murder, though mitigation could reduce it in this case. If found guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, he could face 15 years or a non-custodial sentence. Pistorius is currently free on bail.
South Africa does not have trial by jury, meaning the athlete's fate will be decided by judge Masipa, with the help of two assessors.South Africa does not have trial by jury, meaning the athlete's fate will be decided by judge Masipa, with the help of two assessors.