INTRO: The family of the woman shot and killed by paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has asked the High Court in South Africa to sentence the athlete to a punishment befitting the severity of the crime he committed. Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide (manslaughter) for shooting and killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in February last year. Pistorius said it was an accident and he mistook her for an intruder.
The Defence has argued Pistorius should serve community service under house arrest, while the prosecution wants the athlete to go to prison.
Steenkamp's cousin, Kim Martin, gave evidence and said the Steenkamp family wants justice to be done.
IN: Everybody has suffered ...
OUT: fit the crime.
DUR: 15"
GEN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1016oscarmartin2-ga-sound.mp3
Reeva Steenkamp's cousin, Kim Martin, who represented the Steenkamp family in court, told the judge their family did not want revenge, but felt that Pistorius had to pay for what he did.
IN: I really believe ...
OUT: sufficient punishment.
DUR: 26"
GEN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1016oscarmartin3-ga-sound.mp3
Kim Martin also told the court the Steenkamp family did not believe that the public apology Pistorius offered at the beginning of the trial was sincere ...
IN: I did not feel ...
OUT: did not seem sincere.
DUR: 26"
GEN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1016oscarmartin1-ga-sound.mp3
The judge in the trial is expected to hand down sentencing tomorrow.