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| Oscar Pistorius trial: Prosecution sets out jail call | |
| (36 minutes later) | |
| Prosecutors are beginning to outline their case for South African athlete Oscar Pistorius to serve a jail term for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. | |
| The first prosecution witness at the sentencing hearing is Reeva Steenkamp's cousin, Kim Martin. | |
| Pistorius was found guilty of the culpable homicide of Ms Steenkamp last month - but was cleared of murder. | Pistorius was found guilty of the culpable homicide of Ms Steenkamp last month - but was cleared of murder. |
| Meanwhile the Steenkamp family released a new statement saying they wanted no money from Pistorius. | |
| The sentencing hearing is expected to last several days. | The sentencing hearing is expected to last several days. |
| The defence argues a custodial term is inappropriate. | |
| Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said that he would call three or four witnesses. | |
| The first to take the stand is Kim Martin. With her voice breaking, Ms Martin said Reeva was the first baby she had ever held. | |
| Ms Martin said Reeva was meticulous and hard working at school and that "family was everything to her". | |
| 'Carefully considered' | 'Carefully considered' |
| Wednesday's hearing had begun 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 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". |
| "If the court sentence is too light, and society loses trust in the court, they will take the law into their own hands," Mr Nel said. "That's what the court has to guard against." | "If the court sentence is too light, and society loses trust in the court, they will take the law into their own hands," Mr Nel said. "That's what the court has to guard against." |
| He said a suggestion of 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. |
| Meanwhile, the family of Reeva Steenkamp issued a new statement on Wednesday, via their lawyer Dup de Bruyn, following revelations in court on Tuesday that Pistorius had made them monthly payments. | Meanwhile, the family of Reeva Steenkamp issued a new statement on Wednesday, via their lawyer Dup de Bruyn, following revelations in court on Tuesday that Pistorius had made them monthly payments. |
| It had been revealed that the Steenkamps accepted monthly payments of 6,000 rand (£340; $540) from March 2013 to September 2014. | It had been revealed that the Steenkamps accepted monthly payments of 6,000 rand (£340; $540) from March 2013 to September 2014. |
| A statement issued by Mr de Bruyn said: "After Ms Steenkamp was killed... the parents were in financial difficulties. | A statement issued by Mr de Bruyn said: "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." | "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. | 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. | "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." | "This is also why we were instructed to advise that no civil claim would be instituted." |
| Any money received from Mr Pistorius - about $10,000 - would be paid back, it said. | Any money received from Mr Pistorius - about $10,000 - would be paid back, it said. |
| Defence lawyer Barry Roux told the court on Wednesday his client had given the money "unconditionally" and did not want it back. | Defence lawyer Barry Roux told the court on Wednesday his client had given the money "unconditionally" and did not want it back. |
| The Steenkamps' statement said they were surprised the payments had come out in court as it was the athlete who had asked for them to remain secret. | The Steenkamps' statement said they were surprised the payments had come out in court as it was the athlete who had asked for them to remain secret. |
| 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 home | Inside Oscar Pistorius's home |
| 3D animation of the apartment | 3D animation of the apartment |