Pistorius Defense to Address Pivotal Elements

The defense team for Oscar Pistorius will address key elements of the prosecution's case when the Olympian takes the stand on Friday.

Pistorius' lawyers will tackle elements such as testimony from four neighbors who said they heard a woman's screams coming from the Paralympian's home the night he shot Reeva Steenkamp.

Attorney Anton Smith toldABC News reporter Liezl Thom the defense will also focus on "the ballistics, Pistorius' knowledge of South African gun laws, and the pathologist's report."

Thompredicts Pistorius' testimony could last days.

Globe and Mail reporter Geoffrey York saysPistorius will address his "pattern of recklessness with guns, his decision to shoot without asking questions," and arguments with Steenkamp prior to Valentine's Day of 2013.

On Monday,police captain Francis Moller read out downloaded texts to the Pretoria High Court that revealedSteenkamp feared the Olympian's short temper and jealous nature.

Despite the troubling texts exchanged prior to the night Pistorius shot Steenkamp,Moller testified that 90 percent of the 1,709 messages between them were "normal and loving."

Pistorius is charged with the premeditated murder of his late girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day of 2013.The Olympian says he thought she was an intruder in his Johannesburg home.

On March 3, Pistorius pleaded not guilty to one charge of murder and a firearms charge associated with Steenkamp's killing.If convicted, Pistorius faces 25 years in jail.

Judicial officials predict the trial will conclude on May 16 with a recess in April.

Written byNicole Bennett

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