Intro:

Final arguments have begun in the South African murder trial of Oscar Pistorius, the once-celebrated athlete who fatally shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, through a toilet cubicle door in his home.

Script:

Oscar Pistorius arrived at a Pretoria court on Thursday as his murder trial for shooting to death his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year draws to a close.

Earlier Steenkamp's family arrived at court.

On Thursday and Friday, both sides will summarise their versions of the shooting to Thokozile Masipa, the judge who will determine the fate of the double-amputee Olympic runner.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said that a criminal trial was a "blunt instrument for digging up the truth" but that he was confident of his case.

The prosecution has argued that Pistorius intentionally shot Steenkamp before dawn on Feb. 14, 2013 after a quarrel.

The defence has previously contended that he fired by mistake, thinking he was about to be attacked by an assailant in the toilet and that Steenkamp was in the bedroom.

In addition to the murder charge, Pistorius faces three separate gun-related charges, one of which stems from his alleged firing of a shot in a crowded restaurant in Johannesburg, months before he killed Steenkamp.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Because South Africa has no trial by jury, Judge Thokozile Masipa will decide with the help of two legal assistants if Pistorius committed murder, is guilty of a negligent killing, or if he made a tragic error and should be acquitted.