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Pistorius jailed for five years for killing girlfriend Steenkamp

DA60

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'(Reuters) - South African Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, ending a trial that has gripped South Africa and the world.

As judge Thokozile Masipa read out her decision on Pistorius' Sept. 12 culpable homicide conviction, the 27-year-old, whose downfall has been likened to that of American football star O.J. Simpson, stood resolutely in the dock.

His only reaction was to wipe his eyes before two police officers led him down to the holding cells beneath the High Court in the heart of the South African capital. An armored police vehicle took him from the court building.'


Pistorius jailed for five years for killing girlfriend Steenkamp | Reuters


Agree or disagree with the sentence?
 
Apparently killing somebody in South Africa isn't that serious of a crime.

I don't like the sentence. However, from what I've read this whole mess isn't finished. Appeals can come from both sides.
 
'(Reuters) - South African Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, ending a trial that has gripped South Africa and the world.

As judge Thokozile Masipa read out her decision on Pistorius' Sept. 12 culpable homicide conviction, the 27-year-old, whose downfall has been likened to that of American football star O.J. Simpson, stood resolutely in the dock.

His only reaction was to wipe his eyes before two police officers led him down to the holding cells beneath the High Court in the heart of the South African capital. An armored police vehicle took him from the court building.'


Pistorius jailed for five years for killing girlfriend Steenkamp | Reuters


Agree or disagree with the sentence?

I do not know enough to judge the verdict. But what I know of the circumstances do sound as though 5 years might be appropriate. I mean, the girl is dead and there does not appear to have been any clear and present danger to the man.
 
From what I read, he was convicted of the equivelant of manslaughter. He claimed he thought it was an intruder he was shooting, one of those impossible to prove or disprove claims. Based on that, 5 years is not entirely unreasonable.
 
At least he got something. I was expecting the bastard to walk.
 
At least he got something. I was expecting the bastard to walk.

Hell a tiny term like 5 years what's the difference?

I was gunning for him getting 15 minimum 30 maximum. Oh well, manslaughter isn't that bad a crime in South Africa I guess.
 
Hell a tiny term like 5 years what's the difference?

I was gunning for him getting 15 minimum 30 maximum. Oh well, manslaughter isn't that bad a crime in South Africa I guess.

Agreed, but 5 years is better than nothing.
 
He will only serve 1/6 of the sentence in prison (hospital wing) then goes home to house arrest. The prosecution were looking for murder and 25 years, so they might well appeal. The judge talked about mercy and justice and balancing the two, alongside the need to demonstrate that SA didn't have one law for the poor and one for the famous.
 
They say he may be released in 10 months, as his Attorney is pushing for the rest of the time to be served under house arrest.

I hope they at least make him do a year.....I don't think he is innocent at all.
 
'(Reuters) - South African Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, ending a trial that has gripped South Africa and the world.

As judge Thokozile Masipa read out her decision on Pistorius' Sept. 12 culpable homicide conviction, the 27-year-old, whose downfall has been likened to that of American football star O.J. Simpson, stood resolutely in the dock.

His only reaction was to wipe his eyes before two police officers led him down to the holding cells beneath the High Court in the heart of the South African capital. An armored police vehicle took him from the court building.'


Pistorius jailed for five years for killing girlfriend Steenkamp | Reuters


Agree or disagree with the sentence?



It's hard to prove intention in this case, I agree and glad he got something. Here he probably would be free as a bird.
 
Hell a tiny term like 5 years what's the difference?

I was gunning for him getting 15 minimum 30 maximum. Oh well, manslaughter isn't that bad a crime in South Africa I guess.


Could you make a case that would convince anyone beyond a reasonable doubt he intended to kill his girlfriend?
 
Manslaughter not murder, I never said he murdered her.

Neither did I, I said kill. You stated he were gunning for him getting 15 minimum 30 maximum and that manslaughter was not that bad a crime. But since they couldn't prove murder with the higher sentence like you were gunning for, they had to go with culpable homicide, their manslaughter, which carries a maximum of 15 years. That's why I was saying if you could be able to prove it to get the higher sentence you wanted. Since they couldn't exactly prove anything that's why they didn't sentence him to the maximum. Also doesn't hurt he's rich, I'm sure.
 
Well, for her family it's a damn shame. She's dead, he'll serve some time, and then he gets out and gets his life back. It sounds like the prosecution couldn't make their case. That's the breaks.

I will admit I'm not scared of him. He isn't a heinous murderer who hangs in the bushes waiting to kidnap and rape some poor old lady or young girl. I'm sure this was a "crime of passion". But whatever the case may be, he was tried, got the verdict, and at least he'll serve some time. It's better than what happened with OJ Simpson.
 
I think that the sentence seems reasonable for culpable homicide. I read that he's only likely to serve 10 months in gaol, the rest being served under house arrest. That part seems a bit lenient, although it isn't guaranteed that he will qualify for house arrest, and the prosecution may well appeal that part of the sentence.

The family of his victim have expressed their belief that justice has been done. I don't think that anyone so removed from the case could have any reason to disagree with them.
 
I think he got off way too lightly. He *should* have been convicted of 1st degree murder.
 
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