South Africa (AP) — Oscar Pistorius’ chief defense lawyer says the athlete did not act with any “deviousness” when he killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp and that he felt vulnerable and anxious.
Lawyer Barry Roux was presenting his final arguments Friday to a judge at the end of the double-amputee athlete’s sentencing hearing.
Roux told Judge Thokozile Masipa that Pistorius’ state of mind when he shot Steenkamp through a toilet cubicle door in his home should be taken into account in his sentence.
Pistorius testified he mistook Steenkamp for a dangerous intruder in his home. He was convicted of culpable homicide.
Pistorius’ lawyers have argued for a sentence involving house arrest and community service. Prosecutors, who charged that the double-amputee athlete intentionally shot Steenkamp during an argument, want Pistorius sent to prison.
