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Oscar Pistorius 'has no money' says lawyer Barry Roux Oscar Pistorius 'has no money' says lawyer Barry Roux
(about 2 hours later)
The sentencing hearing of Oscar Pistorius has heard that the South African athlete has no money left, as the closing legal arguments are heard. The sentencing hearing of Oscar Pistorius has heard that the South African athlete has no money left, as both sides' final arguments were made.
Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide last month after shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year, but was cleared of murder.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. Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to deliver the sentence on Tuesday.
He faces up to 15 years in jail, but the judge may choose a suspended sentence or impose a fine instead. Pistorius faces up to 15 years in jail. The prosecution said the minimum sentence it required was 10 years.
The sentencing hearing, which began on Monday, has seen the prosecution push for the maximum custodial sentence. Pistorius' defence team has argued for him to be given community service and house arrest, a suggestion the prosecution said would be "shockingly disproportionate".
Pistorius' defence team has argued for a lesser sentence, such as community service. Both defence and prosecution lawyers finished presenting their final arguments before the court was adjourned.
They claimed that the athlete would be unsafe in prison, which was denied by the prisons chief on Thursday. The high-profile trial, which has captured public attention in South Africa and beyond, began in March.
'Broke and broken''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. Pistorius sobbed as defence lawyer Barry Roux said that the athlete no longer had any money after the trial, which has lasted more than seven months.
"He is not only broke but he is broken," he said."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."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.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. He also claimed that Pistorius would be unsafe in prison, a claim denied by the prisons chief on Thursday.
"I cannot but think this is an attempt to influence" he said. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said that the minimum sentence "society would be happy with" would be 10 years in prison.
Mr Nel also argued that a community-based sentence which involved Pistorius would be "shockingly disproportionate" to the crime committed. "I could have started at 15 and hoped that the court will suspend five, my Lady , but this is a serious matter," he said.
Reeva Steenkamp's family rejected a large lump sum offered by Pistorius, calling it "blood money". He also repeated criticism of a payment offer by Pistorius to the Steenkamp family.
However, they did accept smaller monthly support payments. "I cannot but think this is an attempt to influence," he said.
Reeva Steenkamp's family rejected a large lump sum offered by Pistorius.
However, they did accept smaller monthly support payments. They have since promised to repay the cash and not pursue a civil case.
Mr Nel went on to criticise the use of Pistorius' disability in arguments for a shorter sentence.
"I find it disturbing that a person who fought to compete with able-bodied athletes now shamelessly uses disability in mitigation," he said.
The 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.The 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.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.