Oscar pistorious being released on parole

Did you read my post? The situation there is completely different from life here. It's hard to convey the background level of just plain fear that privileged white people live under. Pistorious was privileged (apart from having no legs of course) so will be a hate figure for those who jump to ill informed conclusions based on UK experience.

Yes I read it. I know that it is almost impossible for some people to believe the banality of violent men. I dont hate him, I try not to give him much thought.

Its a very sad case, one life lost and the other ruined.
Its good they're letting him out now.

I read your post Aveline, Murder is murder where ever you live, did you read his past history?

NotSpaghetti

It went to appeal.
The Supreme Court of Appeal overturned the culpable homicide verdict and found Pistorius guilty of murder.
They said he must have known that whoever was behind the door would be killed.

I think if it's been to appeal it has been thoroughly examined by now.

Absolutely. Anger issues, possession of a firearm and preparedness to shoot knowing that the target will almost certainly be killed. If he can do it once he can do it again.

I believe it was culpable homicide. I say this because I know his past history and background. Political pressure to increase the charge. SA is a complicated country. Not one I'd ever want to live in.

I'm with Bridie22 didn't believe a word he said. He wakes up middle of night hears intruder!! in bathroom. Come off it your girlfriend isn't beside you (she's in the bathroom with her phone hiding behind the door) trying to phone for help. He should rot in hell.

your girlfriend isn't beside you exactly kissngate so you start shooting anyway .

Sigh

I think we all read what you said Aveline

I lived in South Africa for a year in 2000 and it wasn't nearly a scary as people are making out.. I worked and travelled around the townships, and drove down at one time from Johannesburg all the way to Cape Town without incident.. it has possibly become more violent but I did not have any unpleasant experiences.. I do though agree with Bluebelle about guns.. and I don't believe that he was innocent..

polomint

Pistorious is being released on parole Fri 5th Jan. His sentence is nit finished till 2029. Any thoughts on this controversial information?

It's interesting to see you bias. I don't find it controversial.

I am not sure what you mean, lots of people hold a different opinion on the morality or wisdom of his release. So in a sense it is controversial.

Other countries have other rules. Nothing to do with us.

I'm not sure why he would murder anyone deliberately with the purpose of killing them. He would know he would be found guilty and sent to prison because there was no-one else there who could have fired the gun. It would be a very stupid thing to do, basically an act of self destruction.

Surely more likely he was absolutely terrified and fired the gun in self defence, not having time to think of the consequences (that someone would die). He says he thought Reeva was still in bed. I understand that sounds weak but it's quite believable. Hearing a noise in another part of the flat would immediately send the adrenaline into overdrive and his brain into panic mode. His actions would not be logical in that situation. It was reported how distraught he was after her death, it really broke him. I believe him.

If I deliberately fired four shots into a room where I heard a noise, knowing that if someone was in there they might be killed, would you let me off?

Chestnut - there was an investigation, a trial where his not guilty plea was rejected, an appeal where it was all reviewed and he was found guilty. All the points you raised were dissected in minute detail
His history shows an unstable personality with a temper, a sense of entitlement. She was hiding from him. She was scared. She is dead

pascal30

I lived in South Africa for a year in 2000 and it wasn't nearly a scary as people are making out.. I worked and travelled around the townships, and drove down at one time from Johannesburg all the way to Cape Town without incident.. it has possibly become more violent but I did not have any unpleasant experiences.. I do though agree with Bluebelle about guns.. and I don't believe that he was innocent..

I lived in South Africa for a year in 2000 and it wasn't nearly a scary as people are making out.. I worked and travelled around the townships...

Thank you for that.

My son lives in South Africa with his family (Western Cape) and has also worked in some of the townships.

He is aware of the danger, but does not own a gun, and does not have bars on his windows. He drives the children to school and back every day (no public transport), plays in a band in Cape Town, and does not live a life of fear. Though, of course, he is very aware that there are certain 'no-go' areas.

It is the most dangerous country in the world I believe, but that does not mean that the whole country is in lockdown.

I don't believe OP was innocent either.

It is the most beautiful country Dickens and the people were lovely, apart from a few horrible racist whites that we met,

and the music is fabulous.. I hope you have managed to visit your son.. no jet lag either...

Mollygo

If I deliberately fired four shots into a room where I heard a noise, knowing that if someone was in there they might be killed, would you let me off?

He may have fired the shots deliberately, but in an adrenaline fuelled state of fear and panic would that be murder? I thought self defence was always taken into consideration. Obviously I wasn't present in court and it's a complex situation, but I just can't see a logical reason for him to shoot her dead knowing he would be convicted. It's self destructive.

Just because he was said to have an 'unstable personality with a temper, a sense of entitlement' does not make him a murderer. The only thing that makes him a murderer is evidence and proof this was a deliberate act that was premeditated.

In England and Wales premeditation is not required. Murder is committed if there is an intention to cause death or serious injury. Firing the gun as he did quite deliberately towards a small space in which he believed there to be a person could not have failed to cause death or serious injury to that person. I don’t know about SA law, but he was found guilty.

I believe he knew she was in there and in a state of rage fired through the door. When the red mist evaporated of course he was devastated as uncontrollable temper had killed her.
The guilty verdict was correct and I don't think he should be among others with a gun again.

I understand he has to live (with his uncle) for 5 years under strict conditions including not talking to the press. So not really free.

Chestnut have you never encounter anyone (mostly men) enraged beyond belief when a woman doesn’t do what they want.. it’s white rage completely beyond their thought process But without a gun he would not have killed her
There was a reason the poor girl was hiding in the toilet trying to call for help she hadn’t gone for a wee

Iam64

Chestnut - there was an investigation, a trial where his not guilty plea was rejected, an appeal where it was all reviewed and he was found guilty. All the points you raised were dissected in minute detail
His history shows an unstable personality with a temper, a sense of entitlement. She was hiding from him. She was scared. She is dead

He was not found guilty of murder. He was found guilty of culpable homicide, on the basis that, even if he did think it was an intruder, his reaction to the person shut in a small space would have killed them.