Smile again Oscar, says supporter

“I feel very, very sorry for Oscar. We are here to support him, me and my daughter… I want him to know he must feel free to smile again,” Rea du Plessis said.

She was carrying a banner outside the court which read: “Oscar you were, you are, [you] will always be [an] inspiration, a HERO.”

She said she supported Pistorius despite him “making a mistake”.

Scores of journalists streamed to the court on Thursday morning and by 8am, there was already a queue of about 20 people outside the courtroom door.

Security informed media that they would be allowed into the court at 8.45am.

Television vans were lined up on Madiba Street, and several camera crews had set up at the court’s entrance awaiting the arrival of Pistorius.

Journalists were seen filing stories, while others were milling around, waiting to take their seats in the court room.

Part of the road had been cordoned off, and police were positioned at certain points.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel made an early arrival at the court, wearing a dark suit and white shirt.

Reeva Steenkamp’s friends Gina and Kim Myers were also at court.

Judge Thokozile Masipa was expected to start handing down judgment in the case at 9.30am.

Pistorius said he thought an intruder was behind the door of the toilet in his Pretoria home when he shot through it. He fired four times, killing his girlfriend Steenkamp on February 14, 2013.

The State says the murder was premeditated.

When the trial started on March 3, Pistorius pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, and to three firearm-related charges.

– Sapa