Pistorius originally was convicted of manslaughter in after months of hearings and sentenced to five years, but a higher court overturned the conviction and changed it to murder a year later. During Pistorius' sentencing for murder, the trial judge cited mitigating circumstances for a lesser punishment, saying Pistorius was genuinely remorseful and a good candidate for rehabilitation. The minimum sentence for murder in South Africa is 15 years, but individual judges can lower the sentence if there are "substantial and compelling" reasons to do so.
The judge described Pistorius as a "fallen hero" who will never be at peace and sentenced him to six years in prison. The Oscar Pistorius trial in 90 seconds From hero to killer.
Pistorius always maintained that he believed there was an intruder in the house but the judge said that the identity of the person behind the door was "irrelevant to his guilt". Justice Leach compared it to someone setting off a bomb in a public place not knowing who the victims might be. In a packed courtroom with Reeva Steenkamp's family listening to every word, the judge said that when Oscar Pistorius decided to fire four shots through a closed toilet door, he had gambled with a person's life - whoever that was.
Under South African law you cannot just shoot - you first need to determine that the threat to your life is real and that there is no other way to eliminate that threat but to shoot. Many South Africans have applauded the court's decision on social media, saying justice has now been served for Ms Steenkamp. This ruling is expected to go some way to show that no-one is above the law, not even South Africa's once beloved "blade runner". The judge also rejected the argument that Pistorius had acted in self-defence.
He said that the athlete's life was not in danger at the time of the shooting, as Pistorius did not know who was behind the door or if they posed a threat.
The judge added that Pistorius did "not take that most elementary precaution of firing a warning shot". It was earlier incorrectly reported that the court had ruled the manslaughter verdict would remain. But Ms Steenkamp's mother, June, was present and afterwards she was seen outside the court being embraced by members of the African National Congress Women's League, who were singing songs of celebration.
Our correspondent says that many in South Africa were upset by the original acquittal on murder charges, with women's rights groups arguing he should have been found guilty of murder as a deterrent because of the high number of women who are killed by their partners in the country.
The double amputee was released from prison on 19 October as he was eligible for release under "correctional supervision", having served a sixth of his sentence. Pistorius can challenge the ruling in the constitutional court but only if his lawyers can argue that his constitutional rights have been violated.
Yes, Pistorius remains in Atteridgeville prison, where reports suggest he has been teaching fellow inmates about the Bible. Log In. Contact us Sign up for newsletters. Log In Register now My account. Where is Oscar Pistorius now? He will remain there until , when he becomes eligible for parole.
By Martha Sorren. See All Health Relationships Self.
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