Off Topic » plans to close its case after its last witness

PRETORIA, South Africa -- The defence team for Oscar Pistorius plans to close its case after its last witness, a physician who has treated the athlete, completed his testimony at the murder trial on Monday, a lawyer said. The end of testimony signals a new phase in the months-long trial of Pistorius, who killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his home in what he has described as a mistaken shooting. It is expected to lead to a break during which the defence and prosecution prepare final arguments as the high-profile legal battle moves toward a conclusion. Barry Roux, the chief defence lawyer, indicated that he would wrap up on Tuesday morning after final consultations with his team. "We plan to close the case," Roux told Judge Thokozile Masipa. Pistorius, 27, has said he fatally shot Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, through a closed toilet door after thinking there was an intruder in his home. The prosecution says Pistorius fatally shot Steenkamp after a Valentines Day argument last year. Earlier Wednesday, chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel said the last defence witness, physician Wayne Derman, could not be objective about the double-amputee runner because he was too familiar with the Paralympian, having treated him over many years and travelled with him extensively. Derman had testified that Pistorius had an anxious nature linked to his disability, bolstering the defence case that the runners allegedly deep sense of vulnerability was a factor in the killing because, according to his version, he believed he was under threat. Under questioning, Derman acknowledged that his testimony did not amount to a "forensic report" but disputed Nels assertion that he could not be objective. On Sunday, an Australian broadcaster showed video footage of Pistorius participating in a re-enactment of how he says events unfolded on the night he killed Steenkamp. In the video, Pistorius is seen walking on his stumps with an arm outstretched and fist clenched, as though holding a gun. It also shows Pistorius carrying a woman. It is unclear where the re-enactment was filmed. The broadcast by Channel Seven prompted criticism from a lawyer for Pistorius who said the re-enactment was made with the help of a U.S.-based company last year as part of the defence teams trial preparations. The video has not been shown at the trial, and it was not mentioned in court on Monday. Pistorius, who is free on bail, faces 25 years to life in prison if found guilty of premeditated murder, but he could also be sentenced to a shorter prison term if convicted of murder without premeditation or negligent killing. Additionally, he faces separate gun-related charges. Pistorius was born without fibulas, the slender bones that run from below the knee to the ankle. His lower legs were amputated when he was 11 months old. Deandre Baker Jersey . 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Bjoerndalen, who had failed to win any major race for two years before Sochi, writes in a Facebook entry that he is "full of energy and inspiration" after winning the 10-kilometre sprint and mixed relay at last months Olympics.NEW YORK -- John Farrell is getting tired, tired of watching the Boston Red Sox waste opportunity after opportunity. The World Series champions failed each of the four times it had runners in scoring position, eking out just two hits while facing No. 5 starter Vidal Nuno and three relievers in an 6-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Friday night. "Again, the base hit with the guy in scoring position has been elusive," Farrell said. The Red Sox put runners on in each of the first three innings against Nuno (2-4), who gave up 13 runs in 9 1-3 innings over his last two starts, but came up empty in the sixth loss in eight games against New York this season. Boston is hitting .227 with RISP, a big part of the reason they are just 36-44. The Red Sox scored three runs or fewer for the 11th time in 13 games and losing for the sixth time in eight games. Fourth in the rugged AL East, Boston trails the Yankees, who entered the night in third, by six games. "I think weve got the right guys in here, guys who have been around and know what they have to do," Brock Holt said. "Its just a matter of going out and doing it." Brandon Workman (1-1) pitched seven adequate innings but allowed a sacrifice fly to Mark Teixeira and consecutive homers to Kelly Johnson and Brett Gardner. Workman allowed four runs, seven hits and two walks. He struck out five. "Little bit of a grind the whole time," Workman said. "I was constantly pitching with guys on." Brian McCann added a two-run homer off Craig Breslow in the eighth. In his first at-bat as a 40-year-old, Derek Jeter fisted a single to right field with one out in the first. His birthday was on Thursday, the Yankees final day off before playing 17 straight going into the All-Star break. After Jacoby Ellsbury doubled, Jeter scored on Teixeiras sacrifice fly for the early lead. The Yankees captain also singled in the fourth for hit No. 3,390 and went 2 for 4 in New Yorks second win in six games. New York manager Joe Girardi could have sskipped the struggling Nuno and given the ball to rookie ace Masahiro Tanaka because of the extra day of rest but, in a feisty pregame Q&A with media, Girardi insisted he was interested in protecting his entire staff, not just the Japanese sensation.dddddddddddd Nuno rewarded Girardi with 5 2-3 impressive innings. He yielded a leadoff single to Jonny Gomes in the second and a one-out double in the third to Holt. Nuno then retired 10 straight before walking David Ortiz, his last batter. "Ive had confidence in him but were in a situation where these are the five guys that we have," Girardi said. "Hes pitched some good games for us. ... He seems to always bounce back and give us a good outing." Dellin Betances, Adam Warren and Matt Thornton finished the three-hitter. Holt possibly saved a run in the second when he made a leaping catch above the wall on Brian Roberts fly to right field. But he could only watch as Johnsons two-run homer in the fourth went deep into the bleachers in right field, his first home run in 85 at-bats. "It was a good feeling," Johnson said, "to drive a ball like that but also to give us some more breathing room." Gardner connected six pitches later, giving New York a 4-0 lead. NOTES: Red Sox SS Stephen Drew snapped an 0-for-29 skid with a double in the seventh. ... Farrell said LHP Felix Dubront is being bumped to the bullpen. Dubront was not happy. "I have to stay positive and do my work," Dubront said. ... Boston OF Shane Victorino (strained right hamstring) and 3B Will Middlebrooks (broken finger) had setbacks in their rehabs. Both have stopped baseball activities and there are no timetables for their return. ... Yankees LHP CC Sabathia (right knee) will make his first rehab start Saturday for Class-A Tampa. Sabathia has been out since May 11 with degenerative cartilage problem in his knee. He will likely need to make two more rehab starts. ... Up next: a matchup of aces. Boston LHP Jon Lester (8-7) vs. Tanaka (11-2). ' ' '