Oscar Pistorius apology not genuine, says Steenkamp cousin
A cousin of Reeva Steenkamp testified during the sentencing phase of Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius’ trial and said that his apologies to the family were not genuine.
Kim Martin said that Pistorius needs to "pay for what he's done.”
“My lady, I really believe the accused, Mr. Pistorius, needs to pay for what he's done," Martin said, according to The Associated Press. "My family are not seeking revenge. We just feel to take somebody's life, to shoot somebody behind the door who is unarmed, who is harmless, needs sufficient punishment."
Martin said that many people have suffered because of Steenkamp’s death, and that if Pistorius receives a sentence that doesn’t include jail time it would encourage him to "feel within himself that what he's done is all right."
Pistorius, 27, was found guilty last month of culpable homicide after he shot Steenkamp four times on Feb. 14, 2013. He was acquitted of premeditated murder and faces up to 15 years in prison. Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to rule on his sentence sometime this week.
Defense lawyers want a sentence of three years of house arrest with community service for Pistorius, saying that because he is a double amputee who needs prosthetic legs he would be vulnerable in jail.
Prosecutors said a sentence of house arrest would be “shockingly inappropriate" and want Pistorius to be sent to prison.
- Scooby Axson
