Pistorius’s offer rejected as “Blood Money”

Athlete Oscar Pistorius offered a large cash sum to the parents of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp after he killed her - but it was rejected as "blood money” revealed a South African court.

Pistorius's offer of US$ 34,000 was revealed by prosecutor Gerrie Nel during his sentencing hearing.

Earlier, a witness called by the defence stressed the fact that the double-amputee would be in grave danger if he were sent to prison. Furthermore, a probation officer appearing for the defence said Pistorius should serve house arrest and community service. This statement was declared “shockingly inappropriate” by the prosecutor.

Pistorius' offer of a lump sum of 375,000 rand to the Steenkamp family emerged on the second day of his sentencing hearing (yesterday), during the cross-examination of defence witness Annette Vergeer.

Meanwhile, psychologist Dr. Lore Hartzenberg testified on Monday. According to Dr. Hartzenberg Oscar Pistorius is a “broken man” after killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp because he lost the woman he said he loved as well as his reputation, friends, income and sense of self-worth.

Dr. Hartzenberg who was called by the defence gave the testimony ahead of the runner’s sentencing for culpable homicide, and it was almost immediately characterized by the chief prosecutor as unbalanced.

The testimony was part of an effort by the runner’s legal team to persuade Judge Thokozile Masipa that Pistorius has suffered emotionally and materially for what he said was an accident and that he is remorseful. The team hopes the judge will be lenient when she sentences Pistorius after what is expected to be about a week of legal argument and testimony.

The Pistorius trial is underway at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, with the athlete facing a potential sentence of up to 15 years in jail. Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide last month after he shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day in 2013. The whole process is expected to finish before the end of this week. Judge Thokozile Masipa cleared Pistorius of murder last month but convicted him of the lesser charge of culpable homicide and also found him guilty of one charge of negligently discharging a firearm in a crowded restaurant in Johannesburg in January 2013.

By Cassendra Doole

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