Defense for Oscar Pistorius closes case; final arguments to be held Aug. 7-8

JOHANNESBURG – The chief defense lawyer in the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius says he has closed his case, and the judge says final arguments will be held in court on Aug. 7 and 8.

Lawyer Barry Roux said Tuesday that he had finished calling witnesses to testify in the trial of Pistorius, who killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by firing through a closed toilet door in his home.

Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel says the prosecution will file closing arguments on July 30 and the defense will do so on Aug. 4. He and Roux also agreed to return to court on Aug. 7 to make final arguments before Judge Thokozile Masipa.

Pistorius says he killed Steenkamp by mistake. The prosecution says he shot her after an argument.