Pistorius, sentenced to 6years in jail
Wed Jul 06, 2016 11:54:am Africa
3.5K By Buchi Obichie
Disgraced South African amputee athlete, Oscar Pitorius AKA the Blade Runner, who rose to fame during the 2012 Olympics, was on Wednesday sentenced to 6years behind bars, for the 2013 Valentine's Day murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, whom he shot, claiming he thought she was an intruder.
The judgment was handed out by Justice Thokozile Masipa, the same Judge who had earlier sentenced Pistorius to a 5year jail term- of which he served just one year in jail before being released to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest- after finding him guilty of 'manslaughter'. That judgment was later overruled by South Africa's highest Appeals Court, and Pistorius was convicted of 'murder'.
Justice Masipa's Wednesday 6year sentence is remarkably shorter than the 15years minimum jail time requested by the prosecuting counsel.
According to the Judge, Pistorius had shown remorse for his actions, and had tried repeatedly, to apologize to the victim's family.
In her words: "Pistorius was vulnerable without his protheses, he believed the person in the bathroom was an intruder. He immediately took steps to try to save the deceased's life.
"I disagree with the state prosecution that Pistorius showed no remorse.
"He apologised in court, and previously and unsuccessfully tried to contact the Steenkamp family privately, more than once. It undermines any notion that he apologised as a ploy.
"He will only persist in his efforts to apologise to the family because he was genuinely remorseful."
According to Justice Masipa, "mitigating factors outweigh the aggravating ones," and there were "compelling reasons" to deviate from the 15year sentence.
Barring an appeal, Wednesday's ruling brings to a close, a case that has gripped the South African public, for over 3years now.
Pistorius will serve half of his term, before being eligible for parole.
The judgment was handed out by Justice Thokozile Masipa, the same Judge who had earlier sentenced Pistorius to a 5year jail term- of which he served just one year in jail before being released to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest- after finding him guilty of 'manslaughter'. That judgment was later overruled by South Africa's highest Appeals Court, and Pistorius was convicted of 'murder'.
Justice Masipa's Wednesday 6year sentence is remarkably shorter than the 15years minimum jail time requested by the prosecuting counsel.
According to the Judge, Pistorius had shown remorse for his actions, and had tried repeatedly, to apologize to the victim's family.
In her words: "Pistorius was vulnerable without his protheses, he believed the person in the bathroom was an intruder. He immediately took steps to try to save the deceased's life.
"I disagree with the state prosecution that Pistorius showed no remorse.
"He apologised in court, and previously and unsuccessfully tried to contact the Steenkamp family privately, more than once. It undermines any notion that he apologised as a ploy.
"He will only persist in his efforts to apologise to the family because he was genuinely remorseful."
According to Justice Masipa, "mitigating factors outweigh the aggravating ones," and there were "compelling reasons" to deviate from the 15year sentence.
Barring an appeal, Wednesday's ruling brings to a close, a case that has gripped the South African public, for over 3years now.
Pistorius will serve half of his term, before being eligible for parole.
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