(ATR) The defense team for South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius rested its case on Tuesday.
Judge Thokozile Masipaordered closing arguments in the Paralympian's murder trial to begin August 7.
The prosecution will submit its heads of argument to the judge on July 30, according to TheWall Street Journal. The defense will turn in its final argument on August 4.
Sports medicine doctor Wayne Derman, who has worked with Pistorius for six years,took the stand as the final witness for the defense. Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel finished his cross-examination of Derman today prior to the defense concluding its case.
Pistorius confesses to firing the bullets that killed Steenkamp, but affirms he mistook her for an intruder on Valentine's Day of 2013. The prosecution argues the double-amputee deliberately murdered his girlfriend following an argument that night.
Following closing arguments, it will be up toJudge Thokozile Masipa to decide whether the double-amputee sincerely made a mistake or intentionally murdered Steenkamp.
CNN legal analyst Kelly Phelps says if the judge finds Pistorius guilty of murder, the Paralympic gold medalist could face a prison term "ranging from 15 years to life."
If the judge accepts that Pistorius mistook Steenkamp for an intruder, she could find him guilty of culpable homicide or acquit him. Phelps says a verdict of culpable homicide, a lesser charge than murder, would "leave the sentence at Masipa's discretion."
Written byNicole Bennett
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