Returning money... The parents of victim Reeva Steenkamp, June (left) and Barry. Photo: AFP
Pretoria: The prosecutor in Oscar Pistorius' murder trial said the parents of his slain girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, rejected his offer to pay them 375,000 rand ($39,000) he got for selling a car because they didn't want "blood money".
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel made the announcement during Pistorius's sentencing hearing for his manslaughter conviction of Steenkamp at the High Court in Pretoria, South Africa's capital. Mr Nel said the Steenkamps planned to repay the 6000 rand ($620) a month Pistorius paid them since March last year, a month after Reeva Steenkamp was slain on Valentine's Day.
"I can put on record, and I'll lead evidence if I have to, that those monies will be paid back to the accused in full, every cent," Mr Nel said.
Oscar Pistorius during his trial. Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko
Mr Nel discussed the payments while cross-examining parole officer Annette Vergeer, the second witness called by defence lawyer Barry Roux to argue that Pistorius should be sentenced to three years' house arrest with community service instead of a prison term.