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Barry Steenkamp could testify for first time at Oscar Pistorius sentencing Barry Steenkamp could testify for first time at Oscar Pistorius sentencing
(2 months later)
Barry Steenkamp, the father of murdered model Reeva Steenkamp, could give evidence for the first time in the trial of Oscar Pistorius this week.Barry Steenkamp, the father of murdered model Reeva Steenkamp, could give evidence for the first time in the trial of Oscar Pistorius this week.
Steenkamp was too unwell following the death of his daughter to attend Pistorius’s trial and watched it on television from home. His wife June sat in the courtroom through weeks of harrowing testimony.Steenkamp was too unwell following the death of his daughter to attend Pistorius’s trial and watched it on television from home. His wife June sat in the courtroom through weeks of harrowing testimony.
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On Monday, the original trial judge, Thokozile Masipa, will hear pre-sentencing arguments at Pretoria high court.On Monday, the original trial judge, Thokozile Masipa, will hear pre-sentencing arguments at Pretoria high court.
The Sunday Telegraph has reported that Steenkamp wanted to take the stand later this week to testify at the former Paralympian’s sentencing hearing.The Sunday Telegraph has reported that Steenkamp wanted to take the stand later this week to testify at the former Paralympian’s sentencing hearing.
A source told the Sunday Telegraph: “He is very fragile but he wants to do it. If he can, it will be very powerful and emotional testimony.”A source told the Sunday Telegraph: “He is very fragile but he wants to do it. If he can, it will be very powerful and emotional testimony.”
Pistorius is preparing to be sentenced for an upgraded murder conviction, after the supreme court in December 2015 overturned the manslaughter verdict.Pistorius is preparing to be sentenced for an upgraded murder conviction, after the supreme court in December 2015 overturned the manslaughter verdict.
Murder in South Africa carries a mandatory life sentence with a minimum of 15 years. Pistorius has been denied the right to appeal. However, his sentence could be reduced to take into account time already served.Murder in South Africa carries a mandatory life sentence with a minimum of 15 years. Pistorius has been denied the right to appeal. However, his sentence could be reduced to take into account time already served.
“He has served one year in prison and has been effectively on probation or correctional supervision,” Stephan Terblanche, a law professor at the University of South Africa, said.“He has served one year in prison and has been effectively on probation or correctional supervision,” Stephan Terblanche, a law professor at the University of South Africa, said.
“But exactly how that is going to be taken into account by the court is difficult to predict.”“But exactly how that is going to be taken into account by the court is difficult to predict.”
Pistorius killed Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2013, saying he mistook her for an intruder when he fired four times through the door of his bedroom toilet.Pistorius killed Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2013, saying he mistook her for an intruder when he fired four times through the door of his bedroom toilet.
In March, Pistorius’s lawyers failed in their legal bid to reverse a supreme court of appeal judgement that upgraded his original conviction from culpable homicide – the equivalent of manslaughter – to murder.In March, Pistorius’s lawyers failed in their legal bid to reverse a supreme court of appeal judgement that upgraded his original conviction from culpable homicide – the equivalent of manslaughter – to murder.
He was released from jail in October 2015 to live under house arrest at his uncle’s mansion in Pretoria after serving one year of his five-year original sentence.He was released from jail in October 2015 to live under house arrest at his uncle’s mansion in Pretoria after serving one year of his five-year original sentence.
Since being convicted of murder, he has been on bail and allowed to leave the house at set times, but not travel further than 20km (12m) without permission.Since being convicted of murder, he has been on bail and allowed to leave the house at set times, but not travel further than 20km (12m) without permission.
The case at the high court in Pretoria was scheduled to start on Monday and last until Friday, though the sentence could be handed down earlier.The case at the high court in Pretoria was scheduled to start on Monday and last until Friday, though the sentence could be handed down earlier.
Pistorius was last seen in public at a court hearing in April when the date of the sentencing was announced.Pistorius was last seen in public at a court hearing in April when the date of the sentencing was announced.
Agence France-Presse contributed to this reportAgence France-Presse contributed to this report