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Oscar Pistorius trial: Sentence hearing resumes Oscar Pistorius trial: Steenkamps 'want no money'
(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 family of Reeva Steenkamp say they do not want any money from South African athlete Oscar Pistorius, who has been convicted of killing her.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel again said that a non-custodial sentence, as argued by the defence, "cannot be considered". Details of monthly cash payments made by Pistorius to them, and another lump sum offer, were revealed at his ongoing sentencing hearing.
The Steenkamps will pay back the cash and not pursue any civil claim.
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.
Lawyers for Ms Steenkamp's family said they were surprised details of his cash payments to them had been revealed. The sentencing hearing must decide on whether to impose a custodial sentence.
The defence argues that would be inappropriate, but Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said again on Wednesday that a sentence of house arrest and community service "cannot be considered".
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. 'Carefully considered'
'Every cent' The issue of Pistorius's payments to the Steenkamps initially arose in court on Tuesday.
Wednesday's hearing began with prosecutor Gerrie Nel continuing to cross-examine social worker Annette Vergeer. It was revealed that the Steenkamps had accepted monthly payments of 6,000 rand (£340; $540) from Pistorius from March 2013 to September 2014.
A statement issued by lawyer Dup de Bruyn on behalf of the Steenkamp family said on Wednesday: "After Ms Steenkamp was killed... the parents were in financial difficulties.
"We were contacted soon afterwards by Mr Pistorius' lawyers with an offer that Mr Pistorius would contribute an amount... towards the parents' rental and living expenses."
The statement said Mr de Bruyn had also approached the Pistorius legal team over a possible civil settlement and was made an offer of $34,000.
"When the parents were made aware of this offer, they considered it carefully but decided, for various reasons, that they did not want any payment from Mr Pistorius," the statement said.
"This is also why we were instructed to advise that no civil claim would be instituted."
The statement said the Steenkamps were surprised the payments had come out in court as it was the athlete who had asked for them to remain secret.
'Vulnerable'
Wednesday's hearing began with Mr 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.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.
Mr Nel said her opinion of a sentence of house arrest plus community service was "shockingly inappropriate" and "cannot be considered".Mr Nel said her opinion of a sentence of house arrest plus community service was "shockingly inappropriate" and "cannot be considered".
He said correctional duties working with underprivileged children would not take Pistorius out of his "comfort zone". He said a suggestion of correctional duties working with underprivileged children would not take Pistorius out of his "comfort zone".
Ms Vergeer said there had been other cases of culpable homicide where the opinions she had put forward had been implemented.Ms Vergeer said there had been other cases of culpable homicide where the opinions she had put forward had been implemented.
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.
The prosecutor 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.
Analysis: Andrew Harding, BBC News, Pretoria
What constitutes "blood money?" That question surfaced in court when it was revealed that Oscar Pistorius has been making monthly payments to Reeva Steenkamp's parents.
The couple's lawyer confirmed that he had approached the Pistoriuses some 18 months ago, asking for support because Barry and June Steenkamp were broke. It seems their daughter had been supporting them prior to her death.
But earlier in court, Prosecutor Gerrie Nel scathingly described a separate lump-sum offer of 375,000 rand, made by the athlete as "blood money".
So what is the different between refusing a lump sum and accepting a monthly payment - in moral terms? Clearly issues of need, timing, emotion, and the ebb and flow of the trial process itself must come into play.
But in the meantime the Steenkamps have now announced that they will not be pursuing any civil case against the man who killed their daughter, and will repay "every cent" of the money Pistorius has already given them.
On Wednesday, the Steenkamp family lawyers said they were surprised the cash payments had come out in court as it was the athlete who had asked for them to remain secret.
The statement confirmed the parents of Reeva Steenkamp would not pursue a civil claim against Oscar Pistorius and would pay back the sum the athlete had given them - about $10,000.
The statement said the family had considered the offer of $34,000 carefully, but "for various reasons, that they did not want any payment from Mr Pistorius. This is also why we were instructed to advise that no civil claim would be instituted."
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.
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 homeInside Oscar Pistorius's home
3D animation of the apartment3D animation of the apartment