Prosecutor: Pistorius offered cash after killing

Additionally, Vergeer said, Pistorius — who in 2012 was the first amputee athlete to run at the Olympics — has the potential to be a productive member of society again. A sentence of house arrest and work at a school for disabled children would be more appropriate, she said.

Prison “will not assist him but will break him as a person,” she said.

Prosecutor Nel challenged Vergeer, saying her knowledge of the South African prison system was limited and out of date. He also asked why she didn’t mention in her report on Pistorius that she knew the family of the woman he killed turned down money.

Outside the courtroom, a lawyer for Steenkamp’s parents said they had asked him to contact Pistorius’ attorneys weeks after the Feb. 14, 2013 shooting because they were struggling financially. Pistorius offered them monthly payments and asked they be kept confidential, Steenkamp lawyer Dup de Bruyn said.

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