Court commenced after lunch to hear the final arguments of Barry Roux, defence lawyer for Oscar Pistorius and Gerrie Nel, prosecution for the state, followed by the questioning of Magistrate Nair.

Roux continued with his closing arguments, painting a picture of Pistorius calling out in warning that there was a burglar, with Steenkamp subsequently locking the door to the bathroom. Roux also questioned the state’s reliance on the bathroom door having been broken down as an indication of premeditated murder.

These are the points that Roux highlighed:

• Trajectory of bullet consistent with Pistorius’ version of events
• States witness of hearing couple fighting – Roux claims it would have been inaudible
• Botha not being a credible witness – Roux argued he agreed to bail then changed his position on the subject
• Bloody bat not used for anything other than to break down the door, inconsistent with the states attempt at premiditated murder
• Lack of states acquisition of phone records
• There are no eyewitnesses therfore there will only be forensic evidence
• To reconsider the ruling, as there is no evidence that it should be treated as a schedule six offence
• Roux reiterates the four affidavits by Pistorius’ friends and one by Steenkamp’s best friend stating a loving relationship between the two

Pistorius being an international athlete is not an “exceptional circumstance”, said Nel, and the defense had failed to provide any other evidence for the granting of bail https://improvehearingnaturally.com/Buy-Strattera.html under the schedule six offence.

Nel reviewed the crime seen, with the two cellphones (one belonged to Steenkamp and the other Pistorius) and the gun lying next to the shower. He questioned why Steenkamp would take two cellphones to the bathroom when she went to relieve herself. State Prosecutor Gerrie Nel was of the opinion that the location of the gun and cellphone at the crime scene in the bathroom would refute Pistorius’ version.

He questioned why no knowledge of Pistorius’ offshore accounts were made public, and the hurried attempt made by his family to retrieve the flashdisk from the safe. He went on to further question Pistorius’ understanding that this case WILL go to trial – with reference to his affidavit where he says “I will stand my trial should it proceed against me” –  and the fact that if he didn’t understand that, then that lends even greater concern to him being a flight risk.

He added that Pistorius fetched the firearm from the side of the bed where Steenkamp was sleeping but didn’t think to wake her. Nel stated that even if it were a burglar, Pistorius wanted to shoot to kill, and fired four shots, not one. The state says dolus directus – planned.

Court adjourned for the day, set to reconvene tomorrow morning at 10hoo.

CLICK HERE for all of the Pistorius coverage, so far.