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Pistorius sentencing hearing enters fourth day Pistorius sentencing hearing enters fourth day
(about 3 hours later)
The sentencing hearing for South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is due to resume at a court in Pretoria. The sentencing hearing for South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has resumed at a court in Pretoria.
The prosecution will continue its case for Pistorius to serve a jail term for shooting dead his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.The prosecution will continue its case for Pistorius to serve a jail term for shooting dead his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius, 27, was found guilty of culpable homicide last month, but was cleared of murder.Pistorius, 27, was found guilty of culpable homicide last month, but was cleared of murder.
He faces up to 15 years in jail, although the judge may suspend the sentence or impose a fine.He faces up to 15 years in jail, although the judge may suspend the sentence or impose a fine.
The defence has argued that Pistorius should serve house arrest and community service for the killing - a suggestion branded as "shockingly inappropriate" by prosecutor Gerrie Nel.The defence has argued that Pistorius should serve house arrest and community service for the killing - a suggestion branded as "shockingly inappropriate" by prosecutor Gerrie Nel.
The prosecution insists that Pistorius should go to jail, saying his negligent actions have left a "broken family".The prosecution insists that Pistorius should go to jail, saying his negligent actions have left a "broken family".
On Wednesday, Reeva Steenkamp's cousin Kim Martin recounted her pain at hearing that the 29-year-old South African model had been shot dead. 'Not seeking revenge'
She said her death was "the end of the world". At the hearing, Reeva Steenkamp's cousin Kim Martin said Pistorius "needs to pay for what he has done".
Ms Martin was the prosecution's first sentencing witness. Mr Nel has said he will call three of four witnesses in all. "My family are not people who are seeking revenge, we just feel that to shoot somebody behind a door that is unarmed, that is harmless, needs sufficient punishment," she said.
Wednesday's hearing began with Mr Nel continuing to cross-examine social worker Annette Vergeer. On Wednesday, Ms Martin recounted her pain at hearing that the 29-year-old South African model had been shot dead, saying her death was "the end of the world".
Ms Martin was the prosecution's first sentencing witness.
Moleko Modise, the Acting National Commissioner for Correctional Services, is the second. Mr Modise has been called to defend reputation of South African prisons.
Mr Modise said South Africa's prisons "can cope" with disabled prisoners like Pistorius.
Mr Nel has said he will call three of four witnesses in all.
'Pistorius vulnerable'
On Wednesday, Mr Nel cross-examined social worker Annette Vergeer.
The defence witness had said double-amputee 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 had said double-amputee 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 "cannot be considered".Mr Nel said her opinion of a sentence of house arrest plus community service "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."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.""That's what the court has to guard against."
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.
Ms Steenkamp, a 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 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