Oscar Pistorius: 5 Year Sentence. Could Be Out in 10 Months

Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to 5 years in prison on October 21st after having been convicted of culpable homicide in the death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. In an article on South Africa’s IOL News.com, it is reported that Judge Thokozile Masipa also gave Pistorius a 3 year sentence, suspended for 5 years, in connection with a January 2013 incident when he fired a pistol under a table at Tasha’s restaurant in Johannesburg. The sentences are to run concurrently.

The defense called 4 witnesses in mitigation of the sentence. Pistorius’s psychologist asked the court to take into account the effects on Pistorius’s life, that he has been left with “few friends, no career and a life now full of mental anguish”. A social worker recommended no prison time, but house arrest and 16 hours of community service. Pistorius’s manager, Peet van Zyl, reminded the court that the athlete had been a force in worldwide charity work during his career and had given both his time and money to charity. Another social worker claimed prison was inappropriate because of Pistorius’ special needs as a double amputee.

The State called two witnesses: Reva Steenkamp’s cousin, Kim Martin, who spoke about the horrendous effect of the model’s death on her family. The acting National Director at the Department of Correctional Services, Zac Modise, appeared to assure the court that the prison system would be able to take proper care of Pistorius.

Judge Masipa took all these factors into account, as well as her belief that the athlete felt remorse for his crime. She indicated that a non-custodial sentence would send society the wrong message, but that a lengthy sentence was also inappropriate. As for the separate shooting incident, the judge suspended direct imprisonment because no one was hurt.

In an opinion piece on the sentence, Eusebius Mckaiser states that Oscar Pistorius could be out of jail in as little as 10 months, when “he will be eligible for house arrest.”