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Reeva Steenkamp 'did not love Pistorius' Pistorius walks on stumps to show court his disability
(about 3 hours later)
Oscar Pistorius' girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp did not love the South African Olympic athlete, her cousin Kim Martin has told a court. Oscar Pistorius has removed his prosthetic limbs and hobbled around the courtroom at his sentencing hearing in South Africa.
The hearing is reconsidering Pistorius' sentence after a court found him guilty of murdering Ms Steenkamp, overturning an earlier manslaughter verdict. The former athlete was on his stumps when he shot his girlfriend through a door at his home in 2013, and his defence made much of his vulnerability.
He faces a jail term of 15 years but it may be reduced due to time already spent in prison and mitigating factors. His defence argues that he mistook Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder.
Ms Martin said she did not believe the true version of events had come out. The hearing in Pretoria was called after a court convicted him of murder, overturning a manslaughter verdict.
"I never heard him apologise... I don't feel the true version came out. We just wanted the truth," she said. On Wednesday, the court heard testimony from Ms Steenkamp's cousin Kim Martin, who said the victim had not loved Pistorius though she had been fond of him.
Pistorius, 29, killed Ms Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day in 2013 after firing four times through a locked toilet door. The double amputee faces a jail term of 15 years but it may be reduced due to time already spent in prison and mitigating factors.
The athlete has always maintained he believed he was shooting at an intruder. Theatrics aside - Pumza Fihlani , BBC News, Pretoria
The six-time Paralympic gold medallist, whose legs were amputated below the knee as a baby, made history by becoming the first amputee sprinter to compete at the Olympics in 2012, running on prosthetic "blades". Oscar Pistorius has spent all his life fighting misconceptions about disabled people but today, with this fate hanging in the balance, he hobbled in the courtroom before Judge Thokozile Masipa - desperate to show his vulnerability.
Ms Martin was the last witness for the prosecution at the hearing, which began in Pretoria's High Court on Monday and is expected to conclude by the end of the week. Very few people have seen this world-renowned athlete this way. Over the course of his trial, we learned of a self-conscious Pistorius worlds apart from the demi-god celebrated for his sporting prowess.
Pistorius' lawyer, Barry Roux, asked her about the couple's loving relationship. It is one of those moments that will remain etched on the minds of many - it's beyond doubt that defence lawyer Barry Roux made an impression here. But theatrics aside, Gerrie Nel, for the prosecution, reminded the world of the hard facts - Reeva Steenkamp was dead and Oscar Pistorius killed her.
Mr Nel argued that South Africa's high murder rate and seeming leniency of the courts could no longer go unchallenged. He implored the judge to not let this be "business as usual".
Now Judge Thokozile Masipa, a decorated and well-respected judge, who though soft-spoken speaks with authority, is now faced with the difficult task of imposing a sentence.
'Seriously compromised'
Making his final plea for the defence, lawyer Barry Roux stressed his client's disability as he gave his version of events at the former athlete's home on Valentine's Day (14 February) 2014.
"It is three o'clock in the morning, it is dark, he is on his stumps," he said.
"His balance is seriously compromised and... he would not be able to defend himself. He was anxious, he was frightened...
"He believed the person in the toilet was an intruder and deceased was at the time in the bed," Mr Roux said.
Mr Roux asked Pistorius to remove his prosthetic limbs and the sobbing former star, who was wearing shorts, took them off and hobbled about.
The lawyer argued that a sentence with community service should be considered.
'I couldn't see love'
In his closing argument for the prosecution, state lawyer Gerrie Nel pushed for a severe penalty.
"He knew there was someone behind the door," he said.
"Using a lethal weapon, a loaded firearm, the accused fired not one but four shots to the toilet door. He failed to provide any acceptable version for his conduct."
Ms Martin, who was called as the final witness for the prosecution, said she did not believe the true version of events had come out.
Mr Roux asked her about the couple's relationship.
Ms Steenkamp, a model and law graduate, was excited and fond of Pistorius, "but I couldn't see love", Ms Martin replied.Ms Steenkamp, a model and law graduate, was excited and fond of Pistorius, "but I couldn't see love", Ms Martin replied.
On Tuesday, Barry Steenkamp gave emotional testimony, saying Pistorius should pay for killing his daughter.On Tuesday, Barry Steenkamp gave emotional testimony, saying Pistorius should pay for killing his daughter.
The BBC's Pumza Fihlani says the athlete, who a psychologist earlier said was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, was trembling and covering his face as his lawyer presented his closing arguments. The hearing which began in Pretoria's High Court on Monday is expected to conclude by the end of the week.
Mr Roux argued that a sentence with community service should be considered and he asked Pistorius to walk on his stumps to remind the court of his client's vulnerability. Gold medallist
The six-time Paralympic gold medallist, whose legs were amputated below the knee as a baby, made history by becoming the first amputee sprinter to compete at the Olympics in 2012, running on prosthetic "blades".
Pistorius: Track championPistorius: Track champion
The making and unmaking of PistoriusThe making and unmaking of Pistorius
Pistorius was initially jailed for manslaughter in 2014 and was released into house arrest after a year, but his conviction was changed to murder after the prosecution appealed.Pistorius was initially jailed for manslaughter in 2014 and was released into house arrest after a year, but his conviction was changed to murder after the prosecution appealed.
He was released from prison last October and allowed to serve out the remainder of his initial sentence under house arrest at his uncle's property in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa.He was released from prison last October and allowed to serve out the remainder of his initial sentence under house arrest at his uncle's property in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa.