State files Oscar final arguments

Star sprinter Oscar Pistorius is seen at the High Court in Pretoria on Monday, 30 June 2014 after spending 30 days under psychiatric observation to determine if he should be held criminally responsible for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Picture: Phill Magakoe/Independent Newspapers /Pool

Star sprinter Oscar Pistorius is seen at the High Court in Pretoria on Monday, 30 June 2014 after spending 30 days under psychiatric observation to determine if he should be held criminally responsible for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Picture: Phill Magakoe/Independent Newspapers /Pool

Published Jul 30, 2014

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Pretoria - The State has filed its final arguments in the case of murder-accused Oscar Pistorius, the NPA said on Wednesday.

“We have filed the closing arguments in the high court today and are ready to argue,” said spokesman Nathi Mcube.

Final argument in Pistorius' murder trial will be heard on August 7.

On July 8, Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled that no heads of argument could be published in print or electronic media until the commencement of the arguments in court.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel made the application to prevent publication.

Masipa said the broadcast or publication of such documents, before they had been heard in court, was theft.

The paralympian is on trial for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14 last year.

He claims he shot her by accident through the locked door of his toilet in his Pretoria home, thinking she was an intruder about to emerge and attack him.

The State contends he killed her during an argument.

Pistorius underwent a month-long psychiatric evaluation at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, after which the court heard he did not suffer from general anxiety disorder.

Sapa

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