This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-28698887

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Oscar Pistorius trial: Defence set for closing argument Oscar Pistorius prosecutors 'twisted facts', defence says
(about 3 hours later)
Lawyers defending South African athlete Oscar Pistorius are to present closing arguments in the murder trial of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Prosecutors have twisted the facts to discredit South African athlete Oscar Pistorius in his murder trial, his lawyer has said in closing remarks.
Defence lawyer Barry Roux began his concluding remarks on Thursday, when he repeated claims that police had tampered with evidence. Barry Roux said the double amputee should have faced a charge of culpable homicide, not murder, over the shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
State prosecutor Gerrie Nel, in his closing statement, argued the athlete "cannot escape" a murder conviction. State prosecutor Gerrie Nel, in his closing statement, argued the athlete "cannot escape" a conviction.
Mr Pistorius denies prosecution claims that he deliberately shot Ms Steenkamp.Mr Pistorius denies prosecution claims that he deliberately shot Ms Steenkamp.
He says he mistook her for an intruder when he shot her through a toilet door in his home in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, on 14 February last year.He says he mistook her for an intruder when he shot her through a toilet door in his home in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, on 14 February last year.
Once concluding arguments are finished, Judge Thokozile Matilda Masipa is expected to adjourn the trial to consider her ruling. Analysts say this process could take between a week and a month.Once concluding arguments are finished, Judge Thokozile Matilda Masipa is expected to adjourn the trial to consider her ruling. Analysts say this process could take between a week and a month.
Analysis: Andrew Harding, BBC News, PretoriaAnalysis: Andrew Harding, BBC News, Pretoria
The real focus of these final arguments will be Friday's speech by defence lawyer Barry Roux. He's been eclipsed for some time by Mr Nel's show-stealing performance, but we were given a glimpse on Thursday of the sort of detailed timeline Mr Roux has been preparing.The real focus of these final arguments will be Friday's speech by defence lawyer Barry Roux. He's been eclipsed for some time by Mr Nel's show-stealing performance, but we were given a glimpse on Thursday of the sort of detailed timeline Mr Roux has been preparing.
I suspect Judge Masipa will find Mr Roux's timeline quite persuasive. But that won't affect the core question of this trial - the question that could yet see Oscar Pistorius convicted of murder even on his own version of events.I suspect Judge Masipa will find Mr Roux's timeline quite persuasive. But that won't affect the core question of this trial - the question that could yet see Oscar Pistorius convicted of murder even on his own version of events.
How could you fire four shots into a small cubicle and not intend to kill someone?How could you fire four shots into a small cubicle and not intend to kill someone?
Oscar Pistorius trial: Nel covers all optionsOscar Pistorius trial: Nel covers all options
Conflicting imagesConflicting images
The defence team has sought to present the athlete as a vulnerable individual, while the prosecution are trying to build a picture of a man who knew the consequences of his actions.The defence team has sought to present the athlete as a vulnerable individual, while the prosecution are trying to build a picture of a man who knew the consequences of his actions.
On Thursday, the main prosecution lawyer accused Mr Pistorius of being a "deceitful witness" who told the court a "snowball of lies".On Thursday, the main prosecution lawyer accused Mr Pistorius of being a "deceitful witness" who told the court a "snowball of lies".
Known as the "Pitbull" prosecutor, Mr Nel said the athlete's lawyers had presented two lines of defence that "can never be reconciled". Known as the "bull terrier", prosecutor Mr Nel said the athlete's lawyers had presented 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 also attacked Mr Pistorius for presenting himself as "a victim of circumstance," suggesting that he had manufactured a fear of crime to help his defence.He also attacked Mr Pistorius for presenting himself as "a victim of circumstance," suggesting that he had manufactured a fear of crime to help his defence.
Responding to Mr Nel's concluding remark, defence lawyer Barry Roux accused the state prosecution of ignoring evidence and avoiding calling up witnesses who may have damaged their case.Responding to Mr Nel's concluding remark, defence lawyer Barry Roux accused the state prosecution of ignoring evidence and avoiding calling up witnesses who may have damaged their case.
He has promised to present a detailed timeline on Friday to back up the case with "objective evidence".He has promised to present a detailed timeline on Friday to back up the case with "objective evidence".
Mr Roux argued that Mr Pistorius has a "heightened fight response" because of his disability and that his insecurities led him to confront danger.Mr Roux argued that Mr Pistorius has a "heightened fight response" because of his disability and that his insecurities led him to confront danger.
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.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.
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.
For the first time since the trial began in March, the fathers of Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp appeared in court on Thursday.For the first time since the trial began in March, the fathers of Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp appeared in court on Thursday.