Alben » putting green and that seemed to pay off today.I

PRETORIA, South Africa - More than a year after he killed his girlfriend, Oscar Pistorius is expected to finally answer questions about why he shot Reeva Steenkamp through a toilet door when his murder trial resumes this week and his defence lawyers begin presenting the evidence they hope will save the Olympic athlete from going to prison for 25 years to life. Pistorius account that he killed Steenkamp by mistake is going to "stand or fall" with his testimony in court, a legal expert says. Charged with premeditated murder for Steenkamps death, Pistorius and his defence team say he will testify to counter accusations that he intentionally killed Steenkamp by firing four times through the door in his bathroom before dawn on Valentines Day last year, hitting her in the head, arm and hip. Pistorius says he mistook Steenkamp for a dangerous intruder hiding in a toilet cubicle. South Africa has no trial by jury, meaning Judge Thokozile Masipa will pronounce Pistorius guilty or not guilty of murder, and Pistorius has the chance to convince her that he did not intentionally kill the 29-year-old model. But Pistorius testimony also gives prosecutors the chance to cross-examine the celebrated double-amputee runner and scrutinize every aspect of his story. Facing a possible life sentence, his questioning by chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel could be the biggest challenge yet for the 27-year-old Pistorius, a disabled athlete who fought for years to win the right to compete alongside able-bodied runners and made history by running at the 2012 Olympics. Brian Webber, one of Pistorius lawyers, said they had no choice but to put Pistorius on the stand. Legal experts say its a risk Pistorius defence has to take. In a rare comment after the prosecution closed its case, Pistorius said "we have a lot ahead of us." Pistorius often reacted emotionally to details of Steenkamps death in the four weeks of prosecution-led testimony at his trial. He retched loudly and vomited in court when a pathologist described Steenkamps grisly injuries and cried and frequently covered his ears while sitting in the dock in an apparent attempt to block out graphic testimony. During his own testimony, he will have to describe in depth his fatal shooting of Steenkamp. "He cant ignore it," Marius du Toit, a criminal defence lawyer and former state prosecutor in South Africa who is observing the trial, said of Pistorius testifying. "He has to get into the box and confirm his version and be open to cross-examination. And this matter is going to stand or fall with that." Defendants in South Africa have the right to remain silent but because he has admitted killing Steenkamp, Pistorius is under pressure to tell the court why he decided to shoot through the door with his 9 mm pistol without knowing — in his version — who was on the other side. Prosecutors charge that Pistorius murdered Steenkamp after a fight and he must dispel their accusations that he intentionally shot her as she hid behind the locked door, legal experts say. Pistorius likely wont be the first witness the defence calls on Monday, but he should take the stand straight after pathologist Prof. Jan Botha gives evidence. Pistorius has not yet spoken publicly about the shooting, only giving his side in a written statement at his bail hearing a year ago and in court documents presented at the start of the trial last month. In those statements, Pistorius claims to have been in a loving relationship with Steenkamp but, in fear for his life, he shot at what he thought was an intruder after hearing a window being opened in his bathroom and then a noise inside the cubicle. Even if he is acquitted of murder, Pistorius faces a negligent killing conviction which can carry a five-year prison sentence. His testimony must show that he acted reasonably when he shot four times from close range. "A reasonable man most probably would not have fired four shots through the door," lawyer and observer du Toit said. "His actions were definitely not reasonable and I think thats his biggest problem." ___ Gerald Imray is on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GeraldImrayAP John Wall Jersey . The Blue Jays lost to the New York Yankees 3-1 Tuesday night, their seventh defeat in 10 games. Rasmus was put on the 15-day DL on May 15 because of a sore right hamstring. Hes hitting .222 with nine home runs and 19 RBIs. Ian Mahinmi Jersey . Wheeler scored two goals, including the winner, as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Minnesota Wild 6-4 on Friday in a game that featured a seven-goal first period. http://www.cheapwizardsjerseyssale.com/kids-sam-dekker-wizards-jersey/ . - Chris Davis hit a two-run double, scoring Nelson Cruz in his Orioles debut in Baltimores 9-7 win over to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Michael Jordan Jersey . Leverkusen said on Friday it signed Schmidt on a two-year contract. He guided Red Bull Salzburg to the Austrian championship this season. Bradley Beal Jersey . Louis Cardinals a hard-fought victory. The Colorado Rockies intentionally walked Yadier Molina with one out and runners on first and third to load the bases for Kozma.Henrik Stenson bolstered his chances of ending his winless run on the PGA Tour by firing a round-of-the-day 66 to move in to contention at the Shell Houston Open. Latest leaderboard Shell Houston Open The world No 7, without a PGA Tour victory since 2013 Tour Championship, mixed seven birdies with one bogey to ensure he heads in to the final round just one stroke adrift of third round pace-setters Jim Herman and Jamie Lovemark.The Swede made a fast start in Texas by birdieing three of his opening four holes, only to card his only blemish of the day at the next after failing to save par from 12 feet. Stenson posted seven birdies during his third round A kick-in gain at the eighth saw Stenson reach the turn in 33, before the Ryder Cup star sandwiched long-range birdies at the 11th and 15th between another shot picked up at the long 13th in a bogey-free back nine.Stenson closed his round by holing out from the fairway at the last to save par and join Dustin Johnson and Russell Henley on 10 under, with the Swede upbeat about his much-improved display.I hit some lovely shots out there in tough conditions and rolled a few in as well, Stenson told Sky Sports. I found the lines better today. Henrik Stenson says the extra work on his putting has paid off at the Houston Open.dddddddddddd I played nicely tee to green for the first two days, but the putting wasnt working. I spent a bit of extra time yesterday afternoon on the putting green and that seemed to pay off today.Ive been trying hard to do that [get a win]. I think Ive put myself in good positions a few times without playing great.Confidence can always be higher, but this time I feel like my ball striking is there with me so well see what we can do tomorrow [Sunday]. Jim Herman is tied for the lead after a five-under 67 A bogey-free 67 from Herman put the American in a share of the lead alongside Lovemark, who had looked set to threaten Stensons round when he carded three early birdies on his way to a two-under 70. On a bunched leaderboard where the top 19 players are split by just five strokes, overnight leader Charley Hoffman slipped in a tie for seventh after a disappointing two-over 72. Rickie Fowler remains in contention on seven under, with world No 2 Jordan Spieth a further stroke back following a two-under 70.Watch the final round of the Shell Houston Open live on Sunday from 6pm on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf Sky Bet - Making Golf Betting Better Get eight places on the Masters with Sky Bet! Also See: Stenson reflects on 66 Houston Open leaders Houston Open: R2 highlights Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '