BREAKING NEWS: Pistorius sentenced to 6 years imprisonment
Judge Masipa described him as a fallen hero who had lost everything.
Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to six years imprisonment for murdering Reeva Steenkamp.
Handing down judgment in the High Court in Pretoria, presiding judge Thokozile Masipa said she believed Pistorius was unlikely to kill again.
BREAKING: Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. #OscarPistorius
— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) July 6, 2016
She described him as a fallen hero who had lost everything.
“There is no doubt that he is a broken man. I believe long-term imprisonment will not serve justice in this matter,” she said.
“The life of the accused will never be the same. He has taken a life of fellow human being, he cannot be at peace.”
Masipa said Pistorius’ tantrums in prison didn’t make him a violent person, adding: “He eventually adjusted and cooperated.”
Masipa said Pistorius was clearly a different person without his prostheses, but other factors needed to be considered in determining his sentence.
She said no new evidence guided the Supreme Court of Appeal to its decision to turn Pistorius’ culpable homicide conviction by the high court into one of murder.
Public opinion could not play a role in the decision of the court.
“Our courts are courts of law and not of public opinion. I am expected to adjudicate matters without fear, favour and prejudice.”
Masipa rejected the State’s assertion that Pistorius had no remorse.
“He apologised to family and previously attempted to,” she said.
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