Update 3: 48pm IST: Judge Masipa points out that Nel did not specify the length of prison term he would recommend. Nel says that the state would be happy with a minimum term of 10 years.
At the end of the last day of hearing, Masipa thanked both sides and said she is impressed the way they have conducted themselves throughout the trial.
The Court will reconvene on Tuesday at 9:30 am South African time (1 pm IST) for sentence to be handed down. The court adjourns.
Update 3:27 pm IST: Prosecutor Nel, dramatic at his best, has lambasted Pistorius for using his disability as an excuse for a crime. Pointing out that he shamelessly uses disability as an excuse, he noted that the athlete fought to race alongside able-bodied sprinters. Its "shameless" he talks about his disability now.
The defence mocks about the issue of the lack of shower rails in prison, and says – there no shower rails in Pistorius's own home.
The fact that he will not have spoon, folk and good food in prison is not a good argument he says. It is noted in most of the social media that Nel's attack on Pistorius is very vicious.
Update 2:47 pm IST: Before the 15-minute break, an emotional Nel said: "I'm really trying my utmost not to become emotional in my argument ... But every right-thinking person would agree with me that there could be nothing worse than hearing your child died a violent death. What could be worse than that? I've thought about it: nothing.
The deceased did nothing to contribute to her death. She did nothing.
She died a horrific death ... She had nowhere to go."
Update 2:40 pm IST:
- Nel says that firing four shots through a locked door into a tiny cubicle, knowing someone is in there –society will want to know what the court will do with that person.
He wants the court to think about Reeva Steenkamp. The court has been thinking about Pistorius for months, his disability and anxiety.
Update 2:33 pm IST:
- Nel talks about the issue of the money paid to Steenkamp's parents. He says it is an "offer for settlement" – not a gift or a token. He says adding that he was "saddened" that Steenkamps had needed to accept the R6000 a month from Pistorius because they were financially devastated apart from every paid they had to go through.
- Nel says the court is supposed to apply mercy because Pistorius could have made millions and now cannot? That is not an argument, says adding he caused this trouble for himself.
Update 2:26 pm IST: Nel says that firing four shots through a locked door into a tiny cubicle, knowing someone is in there – society will want to know what the court will do with that person.
He wants the court to think about Reeva Steenkamp. The court has been thinking about Pistorius for months, his disability and anxiety.
Update 2:15pm IST:
- So far the defence has argued for lesser punishment on various counts including the fact that the athlete would not be safe inside prison. Defense lawyer Barry Roux has argued that correctional supervision and community service is a real punishment adding insisting on the evidence that regular prison wing would not be suitable for Pisotorius.
"What's really significant is...when we see disability we don't realise the real impact and effect of disability," he said adding: "He's not just walking around on his prosthetics and its fine. There's pain, there's treatment."
- He also pointed out that the money offered by Pistorius to the parents of Reeva Steenkamp was private and sincere – and it indicates he was prepared to take responsibility for his actions.
- Roux also argues, citing mental health reports on Pistorius that he is not aggressive nor a danger to society.
- In his final argument Roax said Pistorius wants to do something good for the community and that serious consideration should be given to a community service as part of that healing process.
The sentencing of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has begun and the defense layer Barry Roux has presented an elaborate presentation on how the ''remorseful' fallen hero of the country has already had the worst time in past 18 months, that no punishment can match.
"He lost a person he loved, his self-respect, most of his friends, his career, all his properties, all his money. He's lost everything," Roux said adding, "Is this a person you must remove from society?...we say no."
Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to deliver her sentence on Tuesday, seven months after the trial began.
The Olympic champion was convicted of culpable homicide last month after shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Sttenkamp last year, but the judge said the prosecutors had failed to prove that he had intentionally killed his 29-year-old girlfriend.
Although he faces up to 15 years in jail, the judge may choose to give him a suspended sentence or impose a fine instead, or he could well walk free as South African law has no minimum sentence for culpable homicide, which is equal to manslaughter.
The sentencing hearing, which began on Monday, has seen the prosecution push for the maximum sentence for the athlete.
The defence, however, has been arguing that he must have lesser sentence, as the athlete, who is a double amputee, would be unsafe in prison.
