Oscar’s greatest feat, his escape from justice

OUTRAGEOUS! Five years for culpable homicide and six years for murder when the minimum sentence for murder is 15. Is Judge Thokozile Masipa out of her mind?

But she argued that while there were aggravating factors, they were outweighed by the mitigating circumstances. Oscar Pistorius had shown remorse and the interests of society in such a highprofile case had to be taken into account. In her view, the sentence of six years for blowing Reeva Steenkamp’s brains through a closed door with a deadly weapon was justifiable. But many disagree.

Judge Masipa always had a soft spot for the Paralympian. She showed it during the trial. His tears and retching touched her maternal instincts. But when he took off his prosthesis and walked on his stumps around the court it melted her heart. While she had no choice but to sentence him for murder, she used her discretion to circumvent the Appeal Court ruling by increasing the five years for culpable homicide to just one more for murder.

Most likely another judge would have given him a stiffer sentence. Judges are supposed to apply the law. As good as our justice system is, it is often inconsistent. If Pistorius were an ordinary criminal he would probably got a heavier sentence.

He pulled it off. It’s the greatest feat of his life. In three years he will be eligible for parole and will probably brag about his great escape. It’s a travesty of justice.