Oscar should pay for what he did, Steenkamp said
In a heart-wrenching testimony, Reeva’s father, Barry Steenkamp, broke down in court when he testified during Oscar Pistorius’ sentencing procedures.
A heart-breaking testimony was heard at the North Gauteng High Court when Reeva Steenkamp’s father, Barry Steenkamp, took to the stand on Tuesday to speak of his daughter’s death.
Called on by state prosecutor Gerrie Nel, Steenkamp broke down in tears when he remembered his model daughter who was shot dead by Paralympian Oscar Pistorius in February 2013.
“My wife June has found it in her heart to forgive him but that does not exonerate him from the crime. He must pay for what he did. I still have not forgiven him for killing my daughter,” Steenkamp told the court on Tuesday.
He said the tragic death of his daughter was devastating and drastically changed their lives.
"I'd hear June crying at night, talking to Reeva. She is still grieving." Barry Steenkamp. #OscarPistorius
— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) June 14, 2016
Asked what he thought happened on the night of her death, Steenkamp firmly said: “I think there was an argument,” before Nel stopped him to rephrase the question.
“She must have been in so much pain. I think of her all the time and visualise what could’ve happened. It must have been absolutely awful. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone in the world,” said a weeping Steenkamp.
"June phoned me and said 'come home immediately! Reeva is dead'" – Barry Steenkamp #OscarPistorius
— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) June 14, 2016
Steenkamp says he didnt know his daughter was in a relationship with #OscarPistorius "The time wasn't right for her to tell me"
— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) June 14, 2016
Steenkamp pleaded to Judge Masipa to display the gruesome images of his daughter’s body at the crime scene.
“A lot of people might disagree with me and think I am callous but I would like the world to see the wounds inflicted onto Reeva and the pain she must have gone through. I request if it could be shown to everybody.”
Masipa, however, did not display the images.
Oscar Pistorius’ murder sentencing will commence on Wednesday when Gerrie Nel will call his final witness to the stand.
The athlete was convicted for shooting dead his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day, 2013.
Also read:
Day two: Pistorius sentencing resumes
Oscar ‘was assaulted in prison’
Oscar Pistorius sentencing underway
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