7 Aug 2014

Nel says Pistorius killed, then lied

10:30 pm on 7 August 2014

The South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been accused of being a "deceitful witness" who dropped the "baton of truth", at the start of closing arguments in his trial for murder.

Mr Pistorius denies murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

South African state prosecutor Gerrie Nel .

South African state prosecutor Gerrie Nel . Photo: AFP

In his concluding remarks, the prosecutor Gerrie Nel said there was no truth in the defence's arguments that Mr Pistorius shot Ms Steenkamp because he mistook her for an intruder.

South African state prosecutor Gerrie Nel has asked the judge in Oscar Pistorius' murder trial to reject the Paralympic and Olympic track star's defence because it was devoid of any truth.

Pistorius, who had his lower legs amputated as a baby, is accused of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria on Valentine's Day last year.

If convicted, he could face life in prison.

The prosecutor has portrayed Pistorius as a gun-obsessed hot-head who shot 29-year-old Steenkamp four times through a locked toilet door where she was taking refuge after a heated argument.

The defence team said the track star was a vulnerable and caring boyfriend who killed Steenkamp in a tragic accident after mistaking her for an intruder hiding behind the door.

Closing arguments in the case are expected to last two days.