Oscar Pistorius sentenced to 5Y in prison in killing of GF
October 21, 2014 03:28 pm
Oscar Pistorius, the South African track star once seen as an emblem of triumph over adversity, was sentenced on Tuesday to five years in prison for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
But, as Mr. Pistorius descended the courtroom steps to begin his sentence, his lawyers said the law under which he was punished calls for him to serve only one-sixth of the prison term — 10 months — before being released to house arrest.
South African legal experts said earlier that Mr. Pistorius could seek parole after serving half of his term. Ms. Steenkamp’s family said it was “satisfied” with the ruling, although the National Prosecuting Authority said it had not yet decided whether to appeal.
At the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, the South African capital, Judge Thokozile Matilda Masipa announced her ruling after seven months of often-delayed hearings that have been broadcast around the world and captivated people in Mr. Pistorius’s own country and abroad.
The prosecution had sought a 10-year jail term, while the defense had requested that he be placed under house arrest for three years and perform community service. - nytimes
