Oscar Pistorius Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Murder of Girlfriend

Pistorius had been freed from prison in the South African capital of Pretoria last October after serving one year of a five-year term for culpable homicide – the equivalent of manslaughter.

In her sentencing, Masipa said that, while the crime committed was serious, a long term of imprisonment will not serve justice in this case.

After delivering the verdict, the judge ordered a recess to give lawyers on both teams time to decide if they want to appeal.

State lawyers described the original sentence as “shockingly light, inappropriate” and said “not enough emphasis was placed on the horrendous manner” in which she died.

Pistorius can apply for parole in three years.

Oscar Pistorius says goodbye to his sister Aimee Pistorius before being taken down to the cells.

Pistorius, 29, maintained he killed Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and reality TV star, by mistake thinking she was an intruder hiding in the bathroom early on Valentine’s Day 2013.

The judge agreed with the defence that Pistorius was vulnerable and frightened when he shot Steenkamp four times through a toilet door, and rejected claims that the relationship was unstable and abusive saying that there was no indication of such throughout the trial. Prior to the murder conviction, Pistorius has served one year in jail for the 5-year sentence on homicide.

Factors of mitigation outweighed those of aggravation, and Pistorius had shown remorse for the killing, Masipa said.

She insisted public opinion on a case which has attracted global scrutiny could not play a part in sentencing and she had to be fair to all parties.

But an appeals court upgraded the conviction to murder, which has a mandatory sentence of 15 years.

June and Barry Steenkamp, who supported the appeal for a harsher sentence, arrive in court.

“The family accepts the judgment”, a spokeswoman for the Pistorius family said outside the courthouse, according to AP.

The judge also made reference to Pistorius’ status as a national Olympic hero – he was the flagholder for South Africa at the 2012 Olympic games in London when his story as a double-amputee sprinter captivated the world.

He had his legs amputated below the knee as a baby.

“Thankfully, healing has already started, Mr and Mrs Steenkamp have stated they have forgiven the accused”, the judge said in her ruling.