Final arguments begin in Pistorius murder trial

Oscar Pistorius arrives at court on Thursday as bodyguards protect him during his murder trial in Pretoria.

AFP

South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius returned to the dock on Thursday to hear concluding arguments in his murder trial, with the star sprinter facing life in prison if found guilty.

Prosecution lawyer Gerrie Nel opened proceedings, setting out the state's case that Pistorius deliberately murdered his 29-year-old girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day in 2013.

Pistorius, who denies the charge, appeared at the Pretoria High Court wearing glasses and a dark suit, clenching his jaw as he sat in the dock.

Barry Steenkamp, Reeva’s father, and Henke Pistorius, Oscar’s father, made their first appearances in court on Thursday as the five-month long and emotion-filled trial reaches its finale.

The court fell silent as Barry entered and Henke hugged his daughter Aimee before taking a seat in the first row of the public gallery behind his son.

Pistorius’s murder trial began in March and his handpicked team of lawyers have claimed he shot Reeva by accident, believing her to be an intruder.