The long awaited sentence for Oscar Pistorius over the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp has been delivered and Pistorius has been given a six year jail term.
In her statement Judge Masipa described Pistorius as a ‘fallen hero’ as she delivered the short sentence. But she added: “I am of the view that a long term of imprisonment would not serve justice in this case.”
Murder carries a mandatory 15-year jail sentence in South Africa, unless there is “substantial or compelling evidence” to reduce the term.
I am of the view mitigating circumstances outweigh the aggravating circumstances,” Judge Masipa said in her sentencing remarks.
Pistorius, 29, shot Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day in 2013, claiming he assumed there was a burglar when he fired four times through the door of his bedroom toilet.
He pleaded not guilty at his trial in 2014 and has always denied killing Ms Steenkamp in a rage, saying he was trying to protect her.
Pistorius was freed from prison in the South African capital Pretoria last October after serving one year of a five-year term for culpable homicide – the equivalent of manslaughter.
The Supreme Court of Appeal in December ruled that Pistorius was guilty of murder, irrespective of who was behind the door when he opened fire with a high-calibre pistol he kept under his bed.
Today’s sentencing may not be the end of the saga, as Pistorius or the state could launch a final round of appeals against the length of the prison term.
The sentence comes three weeks after a court hearing that marked another episode of high drama in the long-running case.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel had argued that the double-amputee sprinter should be given a lengthy jail term as he failed to show any remorse for the murder.
Mr Nel also criticised Pistorius for filming a recent television interview, despite claiming to be too unwell to give evidence in court.
In the interview – his first since the killing – Pistorius said that he believed Ms Steenkamp would want him to devote his life to charity rather than return to prison.
After the sentencing, most people expressed their views saying the 6 years jail term is not fair, he should have been given 25 years. Some criticised the judge that, she is more concerned about Pistorius than the late Steenkamp. They think murder is murder and it constitutes life in jail and what the judge has done is unfair.
However, Reeva’s father and mother have said justice has been delivered.