Legal team of Oscar Pistorius closes its defence

Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Stenkamp during happier times

Pretoria, July 8 (IANS): Murder-accused South African paralympian Oscar Pistorius's defence team Tuesday closed its case in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

Defence lawyer Barry Roux had Monday asked the court to adjourn till Tuesday, to consult with his team before closing his case, Independent Online reported.

Pistorius is on trial for fatally shooting his girlfriend Reeva Stenkamp through a locked toilet door Feb 14, 2013, at his house in Pretoria.

Pistorius has denied the murder charges and said that he shot Stenkamp, mistaking her for an intruder who had entered his house through the toilet window, but the state insisted that it was pre-meditated murder.

If found guilty of murder, Pistorius could face life imprisonment. If he is acquitted of that charge, the court will consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could receive about 15 years in prison.

Last week, a psychologist's report said that Pistorius is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is at risk of suicide.

Pistorius's trial resumed June 30 on completion of his psychiatric evaluation.

The court will hear the next session Aug 7.