Fury at prison slap for Oscar
Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to six years in prison on Wednesday for the murder of his girlfriend — and the judge who handed down the ruling immediately came under fire as an “embarrassment to the justice system.”
Prosecutors in Pretoria, South Africa, had called for Pistorius, 29, to get the minimum 15-year sentence for the 2013 slaying of 29-year-old Reeva Steenkamp, but Judge Thokozile Masipa disagreed, calling the double-amputee champion Olympic sprinter a “fallen hero” who deserved the court’s leniency.
“Public opinion may be loud and persistent but it can play no role in the decision of this court . . . I am of the view that a long term in prison will not serve justice,” Masipa said. “The life of the accused shall also never be the same. He is a fallen hero and can never be at peace.”
The jurist added that there were “substantial and compelling circumstances” to show leniency because Pistorius is a “good candidate for rehabilitation,” has shown remorse, and is unlikely to commit another crime.
Members of the Women’s League of the ruling African National Congress, which attended the trial in support of Steenkamp, decried the sentence.
“[Masipa] is an embarrassment to the justice system,” spokeswoman Jacqueline Mofokeng told Reuters. “It is an insult to women in this country.”
Outside the courthouse, trial watchers were dumbfounded.
“The law didn’t take its course,” said Dukes Masanabo, a South African sports official who said Pistorius should have gotten 12 years.
South African musician Danny K tweeted, “#JudgeMasipa has not only let the Steenkamps down, she has let our nation down.”
But Steenkamp family representative Dup de Bruyn said, “The family has said it before, they wanted the law to run its course. It has done so. No further comment. They will keep a dignified silence.”
The victim’s father Barry Steenkamp, 73, told reporters, “I’m pleased it’s over.”
Pistorius will be eligible to apply for parole after three years. Prosecutors can appeal for a heavier sentence, but have not said if they will.
Pistorius was initially convicted of manslaughter in 2014. His conviction was upgraded to murder last year.