Pistorius Is ‘Broke And Broken’
Oscar Pistorius reacts in the dock as Judge Thokozile Masipa delivers her verdict during his murder trial in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday Sept. 11, 2014. Masipa ruled out a murder conviction for the double-amputee Olympian in the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, but said he was negligent, raising the possibility he'll be convicted of culpable homicide. (AP Photo/Kim Ludbrook, Pool)
The sentencing hearing of Oscar Pistorius has heard that the South African athlete has no money left, as the closing legal arguments are heard.
Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide last month after shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year, but was cleared of murder.
Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to deliver her sentence on Tuesday.
He faces up to 15 years in jail, but the judge may choose a suspended sentence or impose a fine instead.
The sentencing hearing, which began on Monday, has seen the prosecution push for the maximum custodial sentence.
Pistorius’ defence team has argued for a lesser sentence, such as community service.
They claimed that the athlete would be unsafe in prison, which was denied by the prisons chief on Thursday.
‘Broke and broken‘
Pistorius sobbed as defence lawyer Barry Roux said that the athlete no longer had any money after the trial, which has lasted over seven months.
“He is not only broke but he is broken,” he said.
“He’s a first offender. What has happened to this man? He was on the rise,” Mr Roux added.
The lawyer asked Judge Masipa to consider the South African principle of “ubuntu”, roughly translated as kindness towards others, in her sentencing.
On Friday, Prosecutor Gerrie Nel again criticised the offer of money by Pistorius to the Steenkamp family.
“I cannot but think this is an attempt to influence” he said.
Mr Nel also argued that a community-based sentence which involved Pistorius would be “shockingly disproportionate” to the crime committed.
Reeva Steenkamp’s family rejected a large lump sum offered by Pistorius, calling it “blood money”.
However, they did accept smaller monthly support payments.
Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to deliver her verdict on Tuesday
The prosecution maintained Pistorius shot Reeva Steenkamp after an argumentThe Paralympic sprinter denied murdering Ms Steenkamp after a row on Valentine’s Day last year, saying he shot her by mistake, fearing there was an intruder in the house.
Ms Steenkamp, a model, reality TV star and law graduate, was hit three times by bullets shot through a toilet door by Pistorius at his home in the capital, Pretoria.
BBC
About Post Author
