A judgement is expected on Thursday at the trial of Olympic and Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius for the murder of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.<br /><br />After 41 days of testimony and drama in the Pretoria High Court, judge Thokozile Masipa will deliver a verdict, which can range from convictions for premeditated murder to acquittal.<br /><br />The prosecution says Pistorius deliberately shot Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day, February 2013, after a heated row.<br /><br />He has pleaded not guilty, saying he heard a noise coming from the bathroom and took his gun to investigate, fearing there was an intruder.<br /><br />He also denies the couple had an argument that night.<br /><br />If convicted of pre-meditated murder, Pistorius could face life in prison.<br /><br />If he is cleared of murder, under South African law, the judge must then consider whether he is guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, or manslaughter, a verdict which could carry a 15 year jail term.
