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| Oscar Pistorius trial: Sentence hearing resumes | Oscar Pistorius trial: Sentence hearing resumes |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The pre-sentencing hearing over whether South African athlete Oscar Pistorius should be jailed for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp has resumed. | The pre-sentencing hearing over whether South African athlete Oscar Pistorius should be jailed for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp has resumed. |
| The defence team continues to make its case that prison would be an inappropriate punishment. | |
| On Tuesday, the prosecution said Reeva Steenkamp's family had rejected an offer of "blood money" from Pistorius. | On Tuesday, the prosecution said Reeva Steenkamp's family had rejected an offer of "blood money" from Pistorius. |
| The athlete was found guilty of the culpable homicide of Ms Steenkamp last month - but was cleared of murder. | The athlete was found guilty of the culpable homicide of Ms Steenkamp last month - but was cleared of murder. |
| The sentencing hearing is expected to last several days, as the prosecution has yet to call any witnesses. | The sentencing hearing is expected to last several days, as the prosecution has yet to call any witnesses. |
| The BBC's Nomsa Maseko in Pretoria says the number of prosecution witnesses has yet to be confirmed. | The BBC's Nomsa Maseko in Pretoria says the number of prosecution witnesses has yet to be confirmed. |
| 'Every cent' | 'Every cent' |
| Wednesday's hearing began with prosecutor Gerrie Nel continuing to cross-examine social worker Annette Vergeer. | |
| The defence witness on Tuesday said that Pistorius should be placed under house arrest rather than sent to prison, because he would be "a lot more vulnerable than the normal man" in jail. | |
| Mr Nel tried to undermine the quality of her research on Wednesday, saying: "You have a view of what happens in prison - but it is not verified and that is worrying. Why don't you verify before you give evidence in a high court?" | |
| Ms Vergeer said it was not within her remit to understand the workings of all departments. | |
| It was during the cross-examination of Ms Vergeer on Tuesday that Pistorius's offer of a lump sum of 375,000 rand (£21,000; $34,000) to the Steenkamp family was revealed by Mr Nel. | |
| He said Pistorius had raised the cash by selling his car, but that Reeva Steenkamp's mother, June, had rejected the offer. "She does not want blood money," he said. | He said Pistorius had raised the cash by selling his car, but that Reeva Steenkamp's mother, June, had rejected the offer. "She does not want blood money," he said. |
| He highlighted separate monthly payments of 6,000 rand (£340; $540), which Pistorius had agreed to pay after being asked by the Steenkamps' lawyer because they were short of money after their daughter's death. | He highlighted separate monthly payments of 6,000 rand (£340; $540), which Pistorius had agreed to pay after being asked by the Steenkamps' lawyer because they were short of money after their daughter's death. |
| Mr Nel said these funds - mentioned in Ms Vergeer's report - would be "paid back to the accused in full - every cent". | Mr Nel said these funds - mentioned in Ms Vergeer's report - would be "paid back to the accused in full - every cent". |
| Mr Nel's questioning led to the Pistorius family accusing him of giving a distorted picture of the financial agreement with the Steenkamps. They said they would provide a full statement on Wednesday. | Mr Nel's questioning led to the Pistorius family accusing him of giving a distorted picture of the financial agreement with the Steenkamps. They said they would provide a full statement on Wednesday. |
| The Paralympic sprinter denied murdering Ms Steenkamp after a row on Valentine's Day last year, saying he shot her by mistake. | The Paralympic sprinter denied murdering Ms Steenkamp after a row on Valentine's Day last year, saying he shot her by mistake. |
| He faces up to 15 years in jail after being found guilty of culpable homicide, although the judge may suspend the sentence or impose a fine. | He faces up to 15 years in jail after being found guilty of culpable homicide, although the judge may suspend the sentence or impose a fine. |
| On Monday, a defence witness suggested that Pistorius should not be sent to prison but be sentenced to house arrest or community service. | On Monday, a defence witness suggested that Pistorius should not be sent to prison but be sentenced to house arrest or community service. |
| Mr Nel described the suggestion as "shockingly inappropriate". | Mr Nel described the suggestion as "shockingly inappropriate". |
| Ms Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and law graduate, was hit three times by bullets shot through a toilet door by Pistorius at his home in the capital, Pretoria. | Ms Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and law graduate, was hit three times by bullets shot through a toilet door by Pistorius at his home in the capital, Pretoria. |
| Inside Oscar Pistorius's home | Inside Oscar Pistorius's home |
| 3D animation of the apartment | 3D animation of the apartment |