Nearly four years ago on August 4th, 2012, Oscar Pistorius, 29, became the first amputee runner to compete in the Olympics when he ran in the 400 meter race.
Six months later on February 14th, 2013, Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his house in Pretoria, South Africa. Pistorius claimed he thought she was a possible intruder and took responsibility for her death.
Finally, more than three years after the incident, Pistorius has been sentenced to prison for murder.
South Africa has a minimum sentence for murder of 15 years, but the judge in Pistorius’ case who called him a “fallen hero” said the Olympian’s case had “substantial and compelling circumstances.” Due to Pistorius also being described by the judge as a “good candidate for rehabilitation” he was sentenced to only six years in prison.
Legal experts outside court say sentence is "shocking". They say Judge was "sympathetic" to #Pistorius. They tell me State should appeal.
— Pumza Fihlani (@Pumza_Fihlani) July 6, 2016
Prosecutors for Steenkamp in the case wanted a 15-year sentence for Pistorius. Meanwhile the Olympian’s defense lawyers asked for no jail time and requested he be allowed to do charity work instead.
Way back in 2014, Pristorius was acquitted of the murder after a seven-month trial and was instead convicted of manslaughter. After that conviction, the 29-year-old spent a year in prison.
But last year, his conviction was increased to murder when prosecutors appealed to South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal. That’s what led to the trial that just wrapped up this week with Pistorius’ new six-year sentence.
Pistorius's family seem happy with the 6 years, brother Carl describing the judge as a "wise woman". #OscarPistorius https://t.co/z9ELkJVCUk
— Pumza Fihlani (@Pumza_Fihlani) July 6, 2016
