Judge Thokozile Masipa sentenced convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius to six years in jail.
(Google Images)
Judge Thokozile Masipa sentenced convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius to six years in jail. (Google Images)
The Guardian, which has been offering live coverage of the Oscar Pistorius trial, is reporting the convicted murderer of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was sentenced to six years in prison. Once again, Judge Thokozile Masipa failed to impose the minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for Pistorius’ murder of Steenkamp. The author writes:
“Anneliese Burgess, a spokesperson for the Pistorius family, said the trial had been a ‘long, drawn-out process: To a certain extent there is relief that this is the last chapter, that they won’t be coming back.’
However, campaigners for women’s rights in South Africa expressed disappointment with the sentence. Jacqui Mofokeng of the African National Congress women’s league, who has attended much of the trial and was in court today, said, ‘The judgment is an insult to women. It sends the wrong message.'”
Pistorius who was previously sentenced to five years in prison, was released just after serving 10 months of that sentence. Prosecutors appealed the sentence asking Judge Thokozile Masipa to follow sentencing guidelines. The judge says she did not impose the minimum sentence because Pistorius seems ‘genuinely remorseful.’
The Paralympic gold medalist admitted to killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp February 29, 2013. He shot Steenkamp four times through a locked bathroom door. Pistorius had been involved in prior domestic violence incidents.
