Intro:

The defence in the Oscar Pistorius trial closed its case on Tuesday morning, before the trial was adjourned to 7th August when final arguments will be heard.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Barry Roux, Pistorius's defence lawyer:

"We were unable to call a number of witnesses who simply refused to testify because they said they don't want, they're protected against television, but they don't want their voices all over the world. We had to take a decision there's nothing we can do about it. One way out for us was to approach the court to exercise your powers but after consultations we realised that would not really alleviate the problem. So we just put that before you. And with that in mind then we close the case for the defence."

UPSOUND (English) Thokozile Masipa, judge: "Yes Mr. Nel. We have come to the end of the defence case."

Nel: "Indeed My Lady."
Masipa: "What is the way forward?"

SOUNDBITE (English) Gerrie Nel, prosecutor:

"If it pleases the court that the state will file their heads of argument of the 30th of July. The defence will then file their heads of arguments on the 4th of August and we will argue this matter on the the 8th and the 9th of August, My Lady."
Masipa: "You've got it wrong."
Nel: "7th and 8th."
Masipa: "It's the 7th."

UPSOUND (English) Thokozile Masipa, judge: "This matter is then postponed to the 7th of August 2014, at 9:30 in the morning, for argument."