Interesting contrasts in the Oscar Pistorius prosecution and defense cases.

The case is currently being heard in a South Africa court about the punishment that will be given to Oscar Pistorius who was found guilty for the culpable homicide killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The defense team is arguing that the athlete should not go to jail as 'nothing' could be achieved by locking him up, rather they are recommending that he be given a three years house arrest, with community service.

They said South Africa's prisons were overcrowded and his disability would leave him vulnerable to the 'violence, sodomy, gun crime and drugs' in South African jails. They also warned that the 27-year-old double amputee Paralympian could be gang-raped if sent to jail.

Continue after the cut...

The prosecution denounced as 'shockingly inappropriate' the recommendation, and explained that if the court sentence is too light and society loses trust in the court, people will take the law into their own hands and attack Pistorius. 'That's what the court has to guard against.'

The chief Prosecution reminded the court that Pistorius had fired a gun in a crowded restaurant only a month before he killed his girlfriend, and was convicted of negligently handling a firearm as a result. He also discredited the report on the state of South Africa's prisons saying it was based on a nine year old data.

The Judge's verdict on the sentencing is expected soon and could be anything from a fine to a 15 years jail term.