Pistorius an "Appalling Witness," Prosecutor Says

(ATR) During his closing argument, chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel described the defense for Oscar Pistorius as "devoid of any truth" and called Pistorius an "appalling" witness who "tailored" evidence.

Closing arguments in the murder trial for the Paralympic gold medalist began Thursday and will conclude on Friday.

Pistorius has confessed to firing the bullets that killed Reeva Steenkamp, but affirms he mistook her for an intruder on Valentine's Day of 2013. The prosecution has argued the Paralympian deliberately murdered his girlfriend following an argument that night.

CNN's Laura Smith-Spark and Emily Smith sayNel began his closing argument on Thursday with a metaphor mirroring the double-amputee's career on the track. Pistorius "dropped the baton of truth," Nel said, and "without the baton of truth, you cannot complete the race."

The prosecutor tore into what he says are inconsistencies in the Olympian's account of the night he shot Steenkamp."It was so many lies, in such a short period, that the snowball effect became so evident," Nel told the judge.

For example, Nel argued that the four gunshots on the bathroom door were in a "good grouping," showing a shooter who was in control and not scared or anxious as the defense has suggested.

CNN court reporters say Nel adamantly argued that the sound Pistorius heard in the bathroom before he shot the "perceived intruder" was a "figment of his imagination and never happened."

The prosecutor also accused the Paralympian of tampering with evidence at the crime scene and then trying to cover up his inconsistencies by blaming police for interfering with the scene.

Nel concluded by saying a "reasonable" person would not fire a gun without cause. Based on "objective facts," Nel said, "[Pistorius] cannot escape a conviction of murder."

The defense begins its closing argument on Friday.

Following closing arguments, it will be up to Judge Thokozile Masipa to decide whether the double-amputee sincerely made a mistake or intentionally murdered Steenkamp.

If the judge finds Pistorius guilty of murder,CNN legal analysts say the Paralympic gold medalist could face a prison term "ranging from 15 years to life."

Written byNicole Bennett

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