During the trial break, a well-known South African blogger and columnist Jani Allan claimed he had been coached for his emotional performance, prompting a strong denial by Pistorius’s family.
Pistorius has pleaded not guilty to intentionally killing Steenkamp, as well as to three other firearms charges.
He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted of murder.
But the athlete will be hoping that his remaining expert witnesses fair better than his first.
A forensic expert, Roger Dixon, hired by his lawyers to buttress his case made several blunders on stand, leading Nel to dismiss him as unqualified.
Dixon, a forensic geologist, was forced to admit he was testifying on aspects not related to his field, even calling himself a “layman” at one stage.
The hearing which started on March 3, has grabbed local and international headlines, with a special 24-hour pay television channel dedicated to it.
In court Pistorius has come face-to-face with the mother of the slain model, June Steenkamp, who has sat stoically in the public gallery, listening to gory details of her daughter’s last moments.
The case being heard at the north Gauteng High Court in the capital Pretoria, is expected to take a few more months to conclude.
Judiciary sources say once evidence is concluded the defence and prosecution will require a few weeks to compile their written submissions before presenting them to court.
They will return to court to answer final questions on their arguments, then the verdict can be expected to be handed down a few weeks later.
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