SOUTH AFRICA: Oscar Pistorius trial reaches final phase of closing arguments

Oscar Pistorius’ murder trial moved to its final phase on Tuesday, as the court set dates for closing arguments and adjourned until August 7.

The prosecution would hand in documents summarising its arguments on July 30, while the defence team has until August 4.

The prosecution and the defence team would then argue their cases in court on August 7 and 8.

Judge Thokozile Masipa would issue her verdict later on, as she would be the only one to decide Pistorius’ fate.

A total of 36 people testified at the trial, which has lasted for 39 days so far.

The prosecution had wrapped up its case earlier, the defence did the same on Tuesday, with Pistorius’ lawyer Barry Roux saying he would call no more witnesses.

Judge Masipa prohibited the publication of the defence or prosecution arguments until they were presented in court.

There was no mention of a video released by an Australian television channel, which showed Pistorius re-enacting the events of the fatal night in preparation for the trial.

Some legal experts had suggested the video could allow Pistorius’ verdict to be overturned on the grounds that it constituted a “procedural irregularity,” but other experts disagreed.

Pistorius, if found guilty of premeditated murder, he could face a life sentence of at least 25 years in prison.