After State Lawyer Gerrie Nel gave his final argument for the Oscar Pistorius trial last August 7, attorney Barry Roux gave his own final defence for the star athlete the next day. Judge Thokozile Masipa will announce her final verdict on September 11.
The double-amputee athlete then took to Twitter to express his gratitude for the people who helped him during the trial.
He tweeted, "Thank you to my loved ones and those that have been there for me, who have picked me up and helped me through everything."
According to BBC's Andrew Harding, Pistorius defence lawyer "avoided - and occasionally mocked - his adversary's rather florid rhetorical style," also accusing the prosecution of "manipulating and ignoring key evidence." He dwelled on the crime's forensic detail, claiming that the crime scene had been contaminated.
He argued that the Paralympian gold medallist had 'built up' an exaggerated fear of vulnerability and crime, thus making him snap which according The Independent described as "the same way a victim of domestic violence would have done after years of abuse."
Throughout the duration of Oscar Pistorius' trial, he painted 'The Blade Runner' as a person who's still struggling with his disability despite previously enjoying a hero status as a national athlete.
He also pointed out that Pistorius' reacted to a "primal instinct" to protect himself when he pulled the trigger that night because he felt exposed and vulnerable.
He added, "You're standing at that door. You're vulnerable. You're anxious. You're trained as an athlete to react. Take all those factors into account."
The prosecution had previously requested for the court to disregard Pistorius' statement regarding the night he shot Reeva Steenkamp, insisting that he was a "deceitful and appalling witness."
After the two sides' last arguments, Judge Masipa will be dissecting the evidences and witness statements given in court with the help of assessors before announcing her final verdict on September 11.
Right after the defence's final statement, Judge Masipa thanked both team's effort before walking out of the courtroom. Meanwhile, Pistorius' father, Henke, gave his son a thumbs up.
Browse the gallery to see photos of the Oscar Pistorius trial here.
