Oscar Pistorius arrives for verdict

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Oscar Pistorius was nearly mobbed by the media as he arrived at court Thursday morning to hear the verdict in his closely watched murder case.

Pistorius is accused of killing his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkap on Valentine's Day of last year.

If judge Tokozile Masipa sides with the state, which argues he killed Steenkamp in a fit of rage, he could face a mandatory life term -- effectively 25 years behind bars before being eligible for parole.

Pistorius has said he thought he was shooting at a burglar.

A conviction of murder with less explicit intent could still see him incarcerated for up to 20 years.

The judge could also reject any notion of intent but still rule culpable homicide for the reckless or negligent killing of Steenkamp, who was shot through a toilet door at Pistorius's luxury Pretoria home.

The case has been closely watched in Pretoria, where the trial is taking place, and around the world.

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