Oscar Pistorius’s sentencing began today in South Africa. The judge is hearing testimony from Team Pistorius right now about how devastated he was and is following his murder/manslaughter of Reeva Steenkamp. A month ago, Pistorius was found not guilty of premeditated murder (the equivalent of first degree murder) but found guilty of culpable homicide (the equivalent of manslaughter). Basically, the judge said that the prosecution didn’t prove that Pistorius intended to kill Reeva, but his actions were negligent. South African legal experts claimed that the guilty charge could end up netting Oscar some serious jail time, or next to nothing at all. It’s all in the hands of the judge for sentencing. Here’s some of what went down today:

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius was a “broken man” after killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, his psychologist has told a court hearing. Lore Hartzenberg said therapy sessions with Pistorius were often interrupted by his weeping and retching. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel accused her of avoiding questions about an alleged new love in Pistorius’s life.

Pistorius faces up to 15 years in jail, although Judge Thokozile Masipa may suspend the sentence or impose a fine. She said the athlete had acted “negligently” when he shot his girlfriend through a toilet door, but had genuinely thought her to be an intruder.

His psychologist was the first defence witness to speak at the sentencing hearing, which could last several days. Lore Hartzenberg told the courtroom that Pistorius was “very emotional” during grief therapy sessions, which were often disrupted by his weeping and retching.

She said the athlete felt “vilified and humiliated” by the media and social media networks, making him feel “utterly worthless”. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said it was “very strange” that Ms Hartzenberg was “avoiding” answering questions about Mr Pistorius having a new relationship. Ms Hartzenberg said Mr Pistorius had never mentioned a new girlfriend in the therapy sessions. She said she had only heard about the relationship from reports in the press.

[From the BBC]

Oh, Pistorius didn’t talk about his 19-year-old girlfriend in therapy? That’s interesting. It sounds like Pistorius puts on his wailing and sniveling performance for the therapist and then goes home to his 19-year-old girlfriend. I wonder why the girlfriend isn’t more relevant to the proceedings?

The analysts continue to insist that there’s a real possibility that Pistorius could get NO jail time whatsoever. A probation officer (a defense witness) recommended that Pistorius “should serve house arrest and community service.” The prosecutor called the suggestion “shockingly inappropriate.”

Photos courtesy of WENN.