Oscar Pistorius will be sentenced for the manslaughter of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Tuesday. During the final day of the athlete's sentencing hearing, prosecutor Gerrie Nel called for a "long sentence".
© Photo: Getty ImagesOscar Pistorius on the last day of his sentencing hearing
"What is long?" Judge Masipa asked. "The minimum term that society will be happy with is 10 years imprisonment," Mr Nel replied. "This is a serious matter. The negligence borders on intent. 10 years is the minimum." It was another emotional day in court as both teams of lawyers delivered their final arguments to Judge Masipa before she decides on Oscar's sentence.
© Photo: Rex(From left) Prosecutor Gerrie Nel and defence lawyer Barry Roux
Defence lawyer Barry Roux described the Paralympian as a "broken man" and asked the judge to consider the South African principle of 'ubuntu' – roughly translated as kindness towards others – in her sentencing.Earlier in the week, he had also claimed that Oscar would be unsafe in prison, and argued that the 27-year-old should instead be given community service and house arrest – a suggestion the prosecution said would be "shockingly disproportionate".When Judge Masipa delivers her sentencing on Tuesday it will mark the end of a high-profile trial that has captured public attention in South Africa, and across the world, since March.
© Photo: Getty ImagesOscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp
Last month, Oscar was convicted of culpable homicide after shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva, but was cleared of murder. The typical maximum sentence for the crime is around 15 years.
