Pistorius sentence: Family vows to stand by him
The family of Oscar Pistorius say they will stand by the decorated Paralympian when he arrives in Pretoria for sentencing today for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Carl and Aimee Pistorius said they would support their famous brother, “regardless of the outcome”. Pistorious has been cleared of murder but convicted of culpable homicide and faces a range of possible penalties up to a lengthy jail term. Prosecutors have called for at least 10 years in jail.
In an interview with ITV News yesterday, Aimee said: “I do not doubt my brother at all. I have the privileged position of knowing his strengths and his faults, as you do when you are close as we are.
“When I first heard what happened my first reaction was shock and devastation and extreme heartache. My first thoughts were that – knowing my brother, the kind of person he is and his fears – he must have thought it was an intruder.
“(I thought that) before I even knew any of the facts. I saw two people who really just adored each other and had a fantastic friendship. They were a good match, they were both strong people.”
Judge Thokozile Masipa is due to announce Pistorius’ sentence today after she found him guilty last month of culpable homicide for negligently killing Ms Steenkamp.
Prosecutors say Pistorius should serve at least 10 years in jail, while defence counsel have called for a community sentence or house arrest.
Carl Pistorius told ITV News: “We cannot speculate ahead of sentencing. But what I do know for certain is that regardless of the outcome the three of us will stand together and continue to stand together like we always have.
“Oscar is genuine. What you see is what you get – he’s real.”
Pistorius killed his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day 2013 when he shot through the bathroom door and into Ms Steenkamp. The athlete, who had his legs amputated as a baby, said he thought he was firing at intruders.
