The murder trial of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is set to
resume for closing arguments after months of courtroom evidence
closely followed by domestic and world media.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel will be the first to make concluding comments.
The defence is due to follow on Friday.
Mr Pistorius denies murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
He says he mistook her for an intruder, but the prosecution says he
deliberately shot her after a row.
Ms Steenkamp was killed at Mr Pistorius' home in South Africa's
capital, Pretoria, on 14 February last year.
BBC Africa correspondent Andrew Harding says that Mr Nel will explain
in detail why he believes he has proved that Mr Pistorius deliberately
murdered his girlfriend.
Our correspondent says that the evidence of neighbours and forensic
experts will be important - but the athlete's own testimony is
crucial.
The prosecution is convinced he gave conflicting accounts of how and
why the double amputee shot Ms Steenkamp four times through his toilet
door.
Judge Thokozile Masipa - a subdued presence so far - is now likely to
intervene more and her questions could well provide hints about a
future verdict.
Oscar Pistorius's lawyer, Barry Roux, is expected to follow with his
closing arguments on Friday.
Correspondents say the proceedings will be a final showdown between
two of the country's top legal minds.
Judge Masipa is expected to adjourn the trial after hearing the
arguments to consider her ruling, a process that analysts say will
take in between a week to a month.
There is no jury.
The defence will present a detailed timeline of events - and will seek
to show that a disabled, panicking man convinced an intruder had
broken into his home - made a terrible mistake.
If found guilty of murder, the 27-year-old, who went on trial on 3
March, 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 - if
convicted - receive about 15 years in prison.
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