The family of Reeva Steenkamp say they will not launch an appeal over her killer's six-year jail sentence insisting 'nothing will bring her back'. Fallen superstar Oscar Pistorius was sent to jail over the murder this morning - but could be eligible to be considered for parole after serving just half of the sentence.
The one-time Olympic icon clutched at his family as he was led down to the cells to await his return to prison after
being sentenced by Judge Thokozile Masipa.
At the same time, Reeva's parents June and Barry maintained a dignified silence and comforted the model's cousin Kim Martins as she wept in court.
Dup De Bruyn, solicitor for the Steenkamp family, said afterwards: 'The law has run its course, nothing will bring Reeva back.'
Although the state were given the opportunity to announce an appeal against the decision, they declined to do so.
The 29-year-old runner's sister Aimee, wept loudly - her hands clasped to her face – as she watched her older brother descend into the bowls of Pretoria's High Court – where the latest chapter of Pistorius' extraordinary life has played out for the last two years.
Jenna Edkins, the double amputee's former girlfriend, who has reportedly moved back in with him to provide comfort during his last few weeks of freedom, whispered to him and held his sleeve as he passed slowly.
The grief-stricken parents of 29-year-old Reeva maintained a dignified silence as Judge Masipa sealed Pistorius' fate, and appeared to accept that the killer was shown great mercy by the judge, who could have jailed him for 15 years. Judge Masipa, whose earlier decision to acquit the double amputee of murdering his lover was overturned by appeal judges, took an hour to read her lengthy judgment before ordering Pistorius to stand as she handed down his final punishment.
As the judge read out her judgment, the body language of Reeva Steenkamp's family became increasingly uncomfortable as the realisation dawned on them that her killer would be shown mercy by the court.
Describing the accused as a 'fallen hero' who 'cannot be at peace' she told the court that a lengthy spell behind bars 'would not serve justice in this matter'.
Dup De Bruyn, solicitor for the Steenkamp family said: 'The law has run its course, nothing will bring Reeva back.'
The runner will once again be given a schedule of rehabilitation programmes to complete while he serves his time which will count towards any consideration to give him parole, which could be considered by prison bosses in three years' time.
Source: Daily Mail
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