Oscar Pistorius gets little sympathy from Steenkamp family and friends
Family and friends of Reeva Steenkamp and her parents have little sympathy despite her mother saying that she had forgiven him
In the most shocking moment of the trial, the state prosecutor confronted Oscar Pistorius with a close-up photo of Reeva Steenkamp, her hair matted dark with blood. The athlete recoiled in horror and his defence lawyer jumped to his feet to object: "That is uncalled for."
There was no complaint, however, from the woman sitting on the front row of the public gallery. June Steenkamp, mother of the late model and law graduate, had been warned in advance that the image would be used. Her lawyer advised her when to drop her gaze so she would not see it.
On Friday, Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide for shooting Reeva Steenkamp, 29, through a toilet door on Valentine's Day last year. He maintained that he mistook her for a burglar.
When the court adjourned, June Steenkamp could be seen shaking her head and hugging and comforting another family member. The victim's close friend, Gina Myers, broke down and wept.
Asked if the family were disappointed by the outcome, lawyer Dup de Bruyn said: "There's no comment at the moment."
He said the Steenkamps would give interviews to media organisations after Friday's hearing according to their present contractual arrangements.
