By Jomari Guillermo (admin@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Oct 14, 2014 10:07 AM EDT

A social worker has recommended a three year partial house arrest and community service for South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day last year.

According to a report published by Reuters, prison official and defense witness Joel Maringa described Pistorius, who was acquitted of murder but convicted of culpable homicide last month for shooting the 29-year old law graduate and model, as a "cooperative" person. The report also cited Maringa saying that Pistorius should be given three years of "correctional supervision" and community service, such as sweeping the streets.

These recommendations, on the other hand, were described as "shockingly inappropriate" by prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who continuously pushes for a lengthy prison sentence for Pistorius, Reuters said.

A separate report published by the Agence France Presse (AFP) quoted Maringa as saying that the recommendation was just a means of not destroying the 27-year old double amputee athlete, instead giving him the "opportunity to restructure and modify his behavior."

Maringa, one of the three defense witnesses, was also asked as to how much he understood the seriousness of the crime Pistorius committed. The AFP report also said that while Maringa was speaking, Barry Steenkamp, Reeva's father, who was revealed to have a stroke after his daughter's death, held his head.

Meanwhile, Desi Myers, Reeva's friend, said she doesn't want to "think and talk" after hearing Maringa's recommendations.

Aside from Maringa, two other defense witnesses spoke during the trial -- Pistorius' agent Peet van Zyl and Pistorius' therapist Lore Hartzenberg -- who both testified about Pistorius' remorse after the tragedy.

AFP quoted Hartzenberg as saying that several of his sessions with Pistorius consisted of him just crying. The report also said that Hartzenberg described Pistorius as a "respectful, caring, and well-mannered person" and a "broken man."

This was, however, countered by Nel, calling Hartzenberg "biased" citing an incident wherein she cried during Pistorius' trial. To which Hartzenberg replied saying she was just "emotional."

Pistorius, who admitted firing four bullets through a locked toilet door, has denied shooting his girlfriend saying it was a mistake as he believed he was shooting a burglar. He is currently out after posting a one million rand ($90,000) bail.

The trial began on March 3 and the sentence hearing is expected to last for several more days. The state and the defense can appeal after the sentence is handed down. Pistorius could serve up to 15 years in prison for the culpable homicide case he is facing.

© 2015 Latinos Post. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.