Pistorius sent back to jail for the murder of his girlfriend
Print Edition
SOUTH African Paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius was sent back to jail for six years yesterday for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp, less than half the 15-year minimum term sought by prosecutors.
Pistorius, who shot his girlfriend four times through a toilet door, has already served 12 months in prison. But the original manslaughter conviction was increased to murder by the Supreme Court of Appeal in December.
Judge Thokozile Masipa, whose sentence at the initial manslaughter trial was criticized by women’s groups as too lenient, said she had accepted the defense argument that a lesser punishment was appropriate.
“Public opinion may be loud and persistent but it can play no role in the decision of this court,” Masipa said. “I am of the view that a long term in prison will not serve justice.”
Pistorius, who had stood impassively as the sentence was read out, hugged members of his legal team and chatted briefly with his sister Aimee before being led away by police.
Women’s rights groups say Pistorius received preferential treatment compared to non-whites and those without his wealth or celebrity status. His backers say he did not intend to kill Steenkamp.
The state and large sections of the South African public had demanded a 15-year jail term, the prescribed minimum for murder, saying he had shown no remorse.
It was unclear whether the state, which has two weeks to appeal, would accept yesterday’s sentence.
Pistorius’ defense team said he would not appeal.
He would be able to apply for parole after serving half to two-thirds of the sentence.
The track star, who had the lower part of his legs amputated when he was a baby, was freed from prison last October after almost a year behind bars. He was to serve the remainder of his five-year term under house arrest at his uncle’s house in a wealthy suburb of the capital. Pistorius has been living with his uncle since.
Steenkamp’s father Barry, who in an emotional statement to the sentencing hearings said Pistorius must pay for his crime, declined to comment on the prospects for an appeal.
In her ruling, Masipa said that although the Steenkamps had suffered a great loss, Pistorius’ life and career were also in ruins.
“The life of the accused shall also never be the same. He is a fallen hero and can never be at peace,” she said.
Pistorius says he fired four shots into the toilet door at his luxury Pretoria home in the mistaken belief an intruder was hiding behind it.
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