Oscar Pistorius sentenced for murder

Jane10 interesting that you are 'sure' he was desperately sorry. Ever heard of acting? Living in a difficult environment shouldn't be an excuse for murder. No one believes it was an accident. If it were my daughter? Well, I'd take the money, save up for a gun and return the favour. So he's having a hard time in jail. Isn't everyone who is in jail. Isn't that what they are for? If you can't do the time, don't do the crime. I wonder if, during your defence of this man, and concern for his welfare, you could ever contemplate, sitting on the loo, terrified out of your life, knowing he's lost the plot, hearing him shouting and screaming outside, then the terror as that first bullet hit, you, then another, then another, then realising your life is ending. But he's sorry! hey, let's forgive him then.

Reeva had financially supported her parents. Oscar killed their daughter and presumably felt he should replace that financial support. He also no doubt was fully aware this 'generosity' would do his image no harm.

I find it both unkind and distasteful to defend him on the grounds of pressure in life in SA yet criticise her parents who had little financial resource and would have been emotionally, if not physically due to age, unable to work and generate an income. Life in SA is stressful and difficult even if you do have cash

Jane10

Now stop telling the truth, you will spoil the illusion, and that's not going to get us any where.

As far as I know ths Steenkamps were almost bankrupt before this unfortunate incident.

The Steenkamps lost their daughter and were unsurprisingly devastated but felt able to accept money every month from Oscar...

Havers Helmsley! I read all about the psychiatrists and psychologists reports. I'm sorry about your Dad. You've obviously had a sad early life with him.
I think Pistorious's sentence is just about ok. Its hard for us over here to understand the petrifying paranoia of life in SA. I was shocked there to find that my DD and her husband slept in what was basically what amounted to a cage- a steel grill at the door and windows. Security guards, razor wire and locked compounds abound. Nevertheless the worse sometimes happens. I won't go into details here.
Living in that sort of bubble, taking steroids, being disabled all adds up to a recipe for rash, thoughtless action. I'm sure that he was desperately sorry. He could hardly be more remorseful. He's had a bad time in jail and faces years more. I'm sure the hangers and floggers on here will disagree but I'm in favour of mercy. He's done wrong. He knows it and is suffering and will continue to suffer for the rest of his life.

The reality is hes either physopath or is suffering from a personality disorder.Hes behavior all through his adult life has shown this.Sll through their relationship he was intensly possive and jealous of her.My own father was this very type.A violent phyco alcholic.I had to live wth him for 19 years as a child before i was able yo finslly get out .So i no the type.19 years is a very long education.So he was always going to eventually comitte a violent crime.The reports of the phycartists were kept quiet because his uncke is a very rich and powerful man and pulled strings .Thats why he only got 6 years

I agree with smileless and breeze

And with you ab in that there is nothing sickening in any disability.

It wasn't the disability itself that was sickening, it was the use of it to manipulate the court and the judge's decision on sentencing and elicit sympathy when he knew it was being televised.

It seems to have worked as the sentence seems very light.

He has from an early age understood that he could get 'secondary gain' from his disability. Yes it was manipulation. His family are like South African aristocracy with immense influence he will be indulged in prison as he has always been. Unfortunately indulging without responsibility creates tyrants, how difficult it is going to be for the prison officers or his murdered girlfriends family to ever get true justice. A beautiful vibrant young woman cruelly disposed of by a manipulative shabby evill spoilt child, yes he never grew up so the rage of a temper tantrum was unleashed on a helpless unable to defend herself young woman with everything to live for and look forward to. I salute her family, hope they stay resolute

Sorry but have to agree with Smileless. There is nothing sickening about walking on stumps, but walking on stumps to try to get away with murder is.

Smileless, that would have been done either by instruction from his defence team or perhaps asked by the judge, I don't know. To say he was guilty of murder is fair , defence do what ever they think will help their client , saying him walking on stumps was sickening wasn't fair,

It isn't his disability that's sickening Anniebach and I didn't say that it was. It was using it to try and illicit sympathy that was sickening, and even more sickening that it seems to have worked.

I see nothing sickening in any disability

Yes Anniebach a top disabled athlete who competed against able bodied athletes. I was disgusted when he walked around the court on his stumps, it was sickening.

He lost his lower limbs as a small child, tragic but that hasn't prevented him from being a top athlete and didn't stop his cold blooded murder of his girl friend.

Her family and friends must be devastated and his family and friends should be ashamed.

I didn't see any signs of remorse, must have missed that bit.

A top disabled athlete in fairness

The performance sans legs in the courtroom was awful. Cringe worthy.

Like a pp says, he'll probably be out in 3 years.

remorse,
crocodile tears and an attempt to play on his disability - which did not stop him becoming a great athlete.

I agree, it is a travesty

Like you GG I was very surprised that the original judge decided this new sentence. That doesn't make any sense to me. On the news just now it is being predicted that he will be out in three years.

The minimum sentence for murder in SA is 15 years, but a judge can reduce that sentence if he feels there are mitigating factors, such as, in Pistorius' case, remorse, rehabilitation etc.

Hence the 6 years.

Poor family. A travesty.

The Steenkamps must be devastated it's an insult. Reeva's poor mum has aged visible over the past 3 years. This is not justice.

glenda

His fame only meant that we heard about.

In total agreement with everyone here, a pathetic excuse for a man with his wailing and gnashing of teeth.
I expect the judge took into account the length of time all this has taken. Riva of course had no time at all.

I don't think the original judge should have been the one sentencing him now. She got the original verdict wrong. The court of appeal who decided it was murder should have sentenced him. Judge Masipa has been a soft touch all along.

All my sympathy lies with Reeva's parents. Pistorious murdered their beautiful girl in cold blood then constructed a fanciful cover up story. Justice has not been done.

G&T

I cannot find the definitive answer but I suspect that this will be what happens :-

He was originally sentenced to 5 years for manslaughter, served 10 months before being patrolled.

As this is the same crime, the 6 year sentence will replace the original 5 years, so he has only been sentenced to one additional year.

There is no indication of how long he will spend in jail before being paroled again.

Not much justice for the family.

The judge took into account his loss of reputation - what about Riva's loss of life! I don't think 6 years is long enough. I have never believed his version. If there was a burglar in your house and he heard you were coming, wouldn't he be more likely to jump out of a window or run out a door rather than lock himself in a bathroom?