Oscar Pistorius Trial Update: Reeva Steenkamp Parents - 'He Murdered Our Daughter'

Oscar Pistorius' conviction for culpable homicide is not enough.

The statement came from the parents of top model Reeva Steenkamp, Pistorius' girlfriend whom the champion South African sprinter shot four times through a bathroom door on Valentine's Day last year.

Barry and June, the father and mother of Reeva respectively, both believe that Pistorius actually murdered their "lovely daughter" and should pay the price for that.

Steenkamp's family and friends were visibly disappointed when Judge Thokozile Masipa officially cleared Pistorius of possible murder charges and found him guilty of the lesser crime of culpable homicide on Sept. 12.

In court, June held her emotions in check. But when subsequently interviewed by the media, the model's mother gushed out her resentment. "In my opinion, [the verdict] means that Oscar's not going to pay properly for killing our lovely daughter," June told Hello! Magazine.

"I understand that the judge could only deal with the facts that were placed before her, but my view is that the verdict is not the right one; it doesn't sit well with me at all," she said.

Had Pistorius been convicted of premeditated murder, he would be facing a sentence of at least 25 years in prison.

Conviction for culpable homicide could send Pistorius to jail for only 15 years. Depending on the judge's discretion, Pistorius could even walk free without serving any jail time whatsoever.

Pistorius is due to return to court on Oct. 13 for his sentence.

During his trial, Pistorius testified that he didn't know Reeva was in the bathroom when he fired four times at the bathroom door. He claimed that he thought an intruder had entered his house, and he was actually trying to protect Reeva when he fired his gun.

The judge subsequently decided that Pistorius used excessive force by firing four shots. But the accused said he didn't know that shooting at the door would result in death.

The prosecution argued that Pistorius actually killed his girlfriend after they had an argument. Witnesses testified that they heard a woman's screaming before they heard gunshots. According to June, fights between Pistorius and his girlfriend were common.

"As their relationship developed, she phoned me to tell me they'd been fighting a lot. When you're in love with someone so early in a relationship you don't fight, at least not that much," said Reeva's mother.

"I also believe she was his trophy and he wanted her to be the woman who would help boost his career, not someone who he was devoted to."

Reeva's parents said the full story about what really happened on the night Pistorius killed their daughter has not been told yet.

In an interview with Australian channel SBS One, Barry said he does not believe Pistorius's account that he mistook Reeva for a dangerous intruder.

"He could have gone to the balcony and shouted for help knowing that somebody was there. He could have pressed the alarm system [and] all this would have been prevented," he said. "I feel that there's still a missing link somewhere. I think there's quite a bit more to the whole thing than has been produced so far."

His wife added: "They've missed something, what really happened. Only Oscar knows what really happened."

The couple said they were both shocked when Judge Thokozile Masipa cleared Pistorius of murder on Sept. 12. "We were shocked, shocked, disappointed. You know, your heart drops. You just want the truth and it's going in the wrong direction, that's how you feel," said June.

She added that they were both "exhausted" and have not had time to grieve. "It is a horrible, horrible thing that we've been through, and it's still going on," she said.

Surprisingly, the couple admitted that they feel "no hate" towards Pistorius and actually feel sorry for him. "In seconds his whole life changed, and you don't wish that on anybody. But things did happen, and things happened there that haven't been brought up, I know that," said Barry.

When the court hearing resumes on Oct. 13, Prosecutor Gerrie Nel is expected to push for the maximum 15-year sentence for Pistorius. He is also expected to ask June Steenkamp to take the stand.

However, after a six-month trial, Reeva's mother has no desire to go back to court. "I don't wish to set foot in a courtroom ever again," she said. "All we have ever wanted is the truth. We don't necessarily want him to go to jail. Nothing will change. Reeva is not coming back," she said.