By Hassan Isilow
PRETORIA
The sentence hearing in the trial of South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius concluded Friday as both defense and prosecution lawyers made their final arguments, with a final sentence to be delivered on Tuesday.
"Oscar has nothing left. He even has nothing [with which] to pay for legal costs," defense lawyer Barry Roux told the court in his final argument on Friday.
Last month, Pistorius – dubbed the "blade runner" – was found guilty of killing model-girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his Pretoria home on Valentine's Day of last year.
During his argument, Roux referred to various testimonies by defense witnesses suggesting that Pistorius was remorseful and regretted what he said was the accidental death of his girlfriend.
The double amputee athlete fired shots at the closed door of his bathroom, killing Steenkamp – whom he allegedly mistook for an intruder – instantly.
Presiding Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to hand down her sentence on Tuesday when court reconvenes.
Roux argued that his client had become a broken man since he was accused of murdering his girlfriend.
"He has lost everything: his career, which is his source of income, friends and sponsors," Roux told the court.
He said the athlete had sold his car, the last of his assets, and put the money into a trust for the Steenkamp family.
The family has since refused the money, calling it "blood money," and has offered to return it.
"Oscar doesn't want the money back; he gave it unconditionally," Roux told the court, asking the Steenkamp family to instead give the money to a charity of their choice.
The family has, however, been accepting smaller monthly contributions from Pistorius for upkeep.
The defense lawyer said that the money offered the Steenkamp family was not intended to impress the court but to assist the family after their lawyer reached out to Roux to explain the family's financial status.
"He [Pistorius] took responsibility to give the money," the lawyer told the court. "Is this a person you must remove from society? We say no."
He went on to say that the athlete had also provided a financial assistance to the less privileged and encouraged people with disabilities to realize their potential.
Pistorius kept his head lowered throughout his lawyer's argument.
His defense team believes the Paralympian should be subject to house arrest and community service – instead of a jail term – as punishment for his offence.
Prosecutors, however, demand that the judge make an example of Pistorius when handing down its sentence next week to ensure public confidence in the country's judicial system.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
