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Oscar Pistorius jailed for five years | |
(35 minutes later) | |
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been jailed for five years for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. | |
Judge Thokozile Masipa, issuing the ruling in court in Pretoria, also gave Pistorius a three-year suspended sentence for a firearms charge. | |
The prosecution had called for a minimum 10-year sentence; the defence for community service and house arrest. | |
Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide but cleared of murder. | Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide but cleared of murder. |
'Feeling of unease' | 'Feeling of unease' |
Judge Masipa said: "Sentencing is about achieving the right balance. Sentencing is not a perfect exercise." | Judge Masipa said: "Sentencing is about achieving the right balance. Sentencing is not a perfect exercise." |
She said there must be a balance between retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation. | She said there must be a balance between retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation. |
The judge began summarising the evidence brought before the trial. | The judge began summarising the evidence brought before the trial. |
She described the evidence of defence witness and social worker Annette Vergeer as "slapdash and disappointing". | She described the evidence of defence witness and social worker Annette Vergeer as "slapdash and disappointing". |
Ms Vergeer had argued Pistorius would be "a lot more vulnerable than the normal man" in jail. | Ms Vergeer had argued Pistorius would be "a lot more vulnerable than the normal man" in jail. |
But Judge Masipa said she was sure prisons were equipped to cater for the requirements of a special needs inmate. | |
She also said she had a "feeling of unease" at what she called an overemphasis on the athlete's vulnerability. | She also said she had a "feeling of unease" at what she called an overemphasis on the athlete's vulnerability. |
However, she said Pistorius had made an "enormous contribution to society", in his charity work and in changing the public perception of disability. | However, she said Pistorius had made an "enormous contribution to society", in his charity work and in changing the public perception of disability. |
The judge then read out a quote from previous legal opinion, saying that if sentences were too lenient, the administration of justice may fall into disrepute. | |
She said she found the suggestions of sentences made by defence witnesses "not appropriate". | |
Appeals | |
Pistorius, 27, an amputee sprinter who became the first athlete to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, killed Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year. | Pistorius, 27, an amputee sprinter who became the first athlete to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, killed Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year. |
He says he shot her by mistake, fearing there was an intruder in his house in the capital, Pretoria. | He says he shot her by mistake, fearing there was an intruder in his house in the capital, Pretoria. |
Ms Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, reality TV star and law graduate, was hit three times by bullets fired by Pistorius through a toilet door. | Ms Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, reality TV star and law graduate, was hit three times by bullets fired by Pistorius through a toilet door. |
Last month, Judge Masipa cleared Pistorius of murder, but convicted him of culpable homicide, saying he had been negligent. | Last month, Judge Masipa cleared Pistorius of murder, but convicted him of culpable homicide, saying he had been negligent. |
The high-profile, seven-month trial has captured public attention in South Africa and beyond. | The high-profile, seven-month trial has captured public attention in South Africa and beyond. |
There is no legal limit on the length of a jail term, but experts say the typical maximum sentence for culpable homicide is around 15 years. | There is no legal limit on the length of a jail term, but experts say the typical maximum sentence for culpable homicide is around 15 years. |
However, even after the sentence is announced in Pretoria, the case may not be over. | However, even after the sentence is announced in Pretoria, the case may not be over. |
Both the prosecution and the defence have the right to appeal against the verdict. | Both the prosecution and the defence have the right to appeal against the verdict. |
Inside Oscar Pistorius's home | Inside Oscar Pistorius's home |
3D animation of the apartment | 3D animation of the apartment |