The defense in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial rested on Tuesday and the judge presiding over the case adjourned the court until early next month.
CNN reported that Judge Thokozile Masipa ordered closing arguments to begin on August 7.
Masipa, who will decide the Paralympian’s fate, has heard testimony since March 3 in a trial that was only expected to last a few weeks. Instead, it has now lasted longer than Pistorius’ relationship with Reeva Steenkamp, the woman he is accused of murdering.
The defense team even closed its case early as some of their witnesses did not testify due to the publicity that surrounded the trial in South Africa and abroad.
The double-amputee runner fatally shot his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day last year. The prosecution said that he intentionally murdered her after the two had an argument. Pistorius, however, has said that he only shot the model after mistaking her for an intruder.
He has plead not guilty to murder and weapon charges.
If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison.
image courtesy of Magazine Features/INFphoto.com