More support for Oscar

Stuck on the back of a bus stop bench outside the High Court in Pretoria was a bundle of green and yellow balloons.

“Oscar Pistorius, you will always be our hero,” was written on a poster next to them.

It was unclear who had placed the balloons and poster there.

Meanwhile, a strong media contingent bearing cameras again waited at the court entrance for Pistorius’s arrival.

He is charged with the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year.

He shot her through the locked door of his toilet at his Pretoria home.

Pistorius has denied guilt, saying he thought she was an intruder about to open the door and attack him. The State contends he shot her during an argument and that it was premeditated.

Inside the courtroom, Steenkamp’s parents sat in the front awaiting the start of the proceedings.

Her mother June was engaged in conversation with Jacqui Mofokeng, the spokeswoman of the African National Congress Women’s League, who has continuously attended the trial in support of the Steenkamp family.

Her father Barry sat next to another man and read the day’s papers.

Pistorius’s sister Aimee walked into court with another woman shortly before 9am.

The two looked over at the Steenkamp family and said “good morning” before taking their seats on the opposite side of the bench.

Pistorius’s lawyer Barry Roux is expected to continue submitting his closing arguments when proceedings resume at 9.30am.

He will be explaining to the court why his client should be kept out of jail.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel wrapped up his closing arguments on Thursday.

He called Pistorius an appalling witness who had tailored his evidence and told the court a series of untrue versions.

The case continues.

– Sapa