Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius sits in the dock ahead of Judge Thokozile Masipa's judgement at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, September 11, 2014. South African Masipa began reading her verdict in the 6-month murder trial of Paralympic and Olympic athlete Pistorius on Thursday, in a detailed ruling expected to conclude the following day. [Photo/Agencies]

PRETORIA - South African Judge Thokozile Masipa began reading her verdict in the 6-month murder trial of Paralympic and Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius on Thursday, in a detailed ruling expected to conclude the following day.

Pistorius, the double amputee who became one of the biggest names in athletics, shot dead his model and law graduate girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.

The state has called for a verdict of premeditated murder, which could carry a sentence of 25 years in prison. Pistorius says he shot Steenkamp through a locked toilet door in a tragic accident believing she was an intruder.