Oscar Pistorius trial enters final, critical stage

As Oscar Pistorius murder trial enters its final debates, the prosecution has accused him to having told “snowball of lies."

17:23 07 August 2014

During the closing argument by the prosecution in the Oscar Pistorius trial, the South African athlete has been accused of being a deceitful witness for having told the court of “snowball of lies.” 

 

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel began his concluding remarks on Thursday while the defence is scheduled to follow on Friday. Mr Nel started by telling the court “should have no difficulty in rejecting” Pistorius’ version of event because it was “devoid of any truth.”

 

Among the people in the packed courtroom are Mr Pistorius’ estranged father and Barry Steenkamp, gunshot victim Reeva Steenkamp’s father. It was the first time for the two fathers to attend the trial together. 

 

The defence team argued that Mr Pistorius was vulnerable due to his disability and anxiety because of his difficult childhood in a country with a high crime rate. However, Mr Nel suggested that he had manufactured a 'fear of crime' to help his defence. 

 

Mr Pistorius is on trial for the murder of Ms Reeva Steenkamp on February 14 last year. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment.