07-08-2014, 04:43 PM
DEFENSE RESTS
![[Image: TTP12TREND3_26-25-03-2014-14-03-15-504-.jpg]](http://www.timeslive.co.za/Feeds/ipad_images/2014/03/25/ttp12trend3_26-25-03-2014-14-03-15-504-.jpg/ALTERNATES/crop_630x400/TTP12TREND3_26-25-03-2014-14-03-15-504-.jpg)
Pistorius leaves court -- he continues living in the luxury home of his uncle Arnold Pistorius
After 39 days in the courtroom spread over four months, and 37 witnesses on the stand, finally Oscar Pistorius' sensational murder trial is drawing to a close.
After calling 16 witnesses, Pistorius' defense team decided Tuesday it had done enough to prove that the double amputee track star mistook his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder early on Valentine's Day morning in 2013, and had no intention of killing her.
Events outside the courtroom, however, provided a sharp contrast to the defense's argument that Pistorius is more vulnerable than others when he's on his stumps and that justifies his actions. Damning video was leaked of Pistorius re-enacting the shooting -- on his stumps.
The defense commissioned the video from U.S.-based forensic animation company "The Evidence Room," but never used it in court. It was leaked to an Australian television network, and shows Pistorius moving backwards and forwards on his stumps re-enacting the events leading up to his killing of Steenkamp.
But while the video made global headlines, it had no impact on the case as it was never shown inside the courtroom.
Both sides will spend the next month preparing their final arguments, and a verdict is expected before the end of August. The decision rests in the hands of the judge alone, as there is no jury system in South Africa.
Ref: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oscar-pistor...der-trial/
Pistorius leaves court -- he continues living in the luxury home of his uncle Arnold Pistorius
After 39 days in the courtroom spread over four months, and 37 witnesses on the stand, finally Oscar Pistorius' sensational murder trial is drawing to a close.
After calling 16 witnesses, Pistorius' defense team decided Tuesday it had done enough to prove that the double amputee track star mistook his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder early on Valentine's Day morning in 2013, and had no intention of killing her.
Events outside the courtroom, however, provided a sharp contrast to the defense's argument that Pistorius is more vulnerable than others when he's on his stumps and that justifies his actions. Damning video was leaked of Pistorius re-enacting the shooting -- on his stumps.
The defense commissioned the video from U.S.-based forensic animation company "The Evidence Room," but never used it in court. It was leaked to an Australian television network, and shows Pistorius moving backwards and forwards on his stumps re-enacting the events leading up to his killing of Steenkamp.
But while the video made global headlines, it had no impact on the case as it was never shown inside the courtroom.
Both sides will spend the next month preparing their final arguments, and a verdict is expected before the end of August. The decision rests in the hands of the judge alone, as there is no jury system in South Africa.
Ref: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oscar-pistor...der-trial/