Closing Arguments Pistorius Murder Trial ....

If found guilty of murder, Mr Pistorius, 27, could face life imprisonment

The murder trial of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is set to resume for closing arguments after months of courtroom evidence closely followed by domestic and world media. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel will be the first to make concluding comments. The defence is due to follow on Friday.
Mr Pistorius denies murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.  He claims he mistook her for an intruder, but the prosecution says he deliberately shot her after a violent quarrel. Ms Steenkamp was killed at Mr Pistorius' home in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, on February 14 last year.

 

Correspondents say the proceedings will be a final showdown between two of the country's top legal minds, with Gerrie Nel representing the prosecution

 

Oscar Pistorius's lawyer, Barry Roux, is expected to follow Thursday's proceedings with his closing arguments on Friday

 

Mr Pistorius and his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp had been dating for three months before the fatal shooting

The Olympic sprinter's murder trial was adjourned last month  in preparation for the closing arguments.
Showdown
Mr Nel will explain in detail 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.  The prosecution is convinced he gave conflicting accounts of how and why the double amputee shot Ms Steenkamp four times through his bathroom 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.
Oscar Pistorius's lawyer, Barry Roux, is expected to follow with his closing arguments on Friday.

Correspondents say the proceedings will be the final showdown between two of the country'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 from a week to a month. There is no jury in South African trials.
The defence will present a detailed timeline of events - and will seek to show that a disabled, panicking man convinced an intruder had broken into his home - made a terrible mistake.

If found guilty of murder, the 27-year-old, who went on trial on March 3rd, 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. Neither sentence is an enviable prospect...in a South African Prison known to be among the most corrupt and violent in the world. They will probably decide to isolate Pistorius from the general prison population. As a white, famous and extremely wealthy athlete, it stands to reason he may become a target. Some 80 plus percent of the South African prison population is made up of impoverished black Africans, who also make up 79 percent of the entire South African population.