Pistorius judge may give hints of direction of verdict during final arguments: Experts

Legal experts have said that high court Judge Thokozile Masipa could reveal her insights into her thinking about Oscar Pistorius' case during the final arguments, as the trial of the murder accused Paralympic runner wraps-up.

Prosecutors and lawyers for Pistorius have one last chance to convince Masipa when they present closing arguments this week in the murder trial of the once-celebrated athlete who shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead.

On Thursday and Friday, both sides would summarize their versions of the shooting to Masipa, who will determine the fate of Pistorius, Sport24 reported.

Masipa has sat impassively through most proceedings since the trial started four months ago in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, but legal experts say that she might now, in this final stage, reveal insights into her thinking about the sensational case.

Marius du Toit, a former prosecutor and now defence lawyer who is not involved in the trial, said that the judge would show where her allegiance lies once she starts asking questions. Du Toit added that the party that gets hammered by the judge when arguing is the party that's got the short end of the stick when it comes to the ruling.

The prosecution says that Pistorius intentionally shot Steenkamp multiple times before dawn on 14 February 2013 in a fit of anger after a fight. However, the defence has countered this by maintaining that he fired by mistake, fearing for his life after thinking an intruder was in the toilet cubicle and Steenkamp was in the bedroom.

Masipa has maintained an air of neutrality while listening to the proceedings through weeks of testimony by dozens of witnesses.

John Welch, who is a former high-ranking lawyer with national prosecutors' office, said that now the judge's true colours would in fact be shown, and that many judges like to ask questions, things that have bugged them or bothered them during the trial.