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Pistorius trial adjourned as defence closes case

Oscar Pistorius' defence has wrapped up its case, with the trial due to resume with closing argum...
Newstalk
Newstalk

09.51 8 Jul 2014


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Pistorius trial adjourned as d...

Pistorius trial adjourned as defence closes case

Newstalk
Newstalk

09.51 8 Jul 2014


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Oscar Pistorius' defence has wrapped up its case, with the trial due to resume with closing arguments on August 7th.

The court heard that the prosecution will file its heads of argument on July 30th.

The defence will file on August 4th.

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The statements will then be presented in court on August 7th and 8th.

The media was ordered not to publish the contents of the heads of argument until they are heard in court.

The trial was adjourned a day after the last defence witness completed his testimony.

Professor Wayne Derman, a doctor for the South African Paralympic team, was quizzed over Pistorius’ ability to move around on his stumps.

The prosecution attempted to show Prof. Derman had overstated the athlete’s lack of mobility without prostheses.

The defence argues that Pistorius’ limited mobility and mental vulnerability led him to shoot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp out of fear that she was an intruder.

Not explicitly mentioned in court was the controversy over an Australian TV broadcaster’s decision to air a video showing Oscar Pistorius re-enacting the night of the shooting.

The material was filmed to help the Paralympian's defence team build their case.

It shows Pistorius, wearing a vest and shorts, running without his prosthetic legs with his fist clenched as if holding a gun.

Pistorius, who is on trial for premeditated murder, denies deliberately killing Reeva Steenkamp.

He faces between 25 years and life in prison if found guilty.


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