Oscar Pistorius likely to be out of gaol in August

[Warrigal]

News is that Oscar Pistorius, sentenced to 5 years gaol for culpable homicide (i.e. manslaughter) for shooting his girlfriend to death, will be released on parole after just 10 months.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-33049312

Under South African law, Pistorius is eligible for release under "correctional supervision" having served a sixth of his sentence.

South African Commissioner of Correctional Services Zach Modise told the BBC that the case management committee at the Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria, where Pistorius is being held, made the recommendation last week.


The decision is likely to mean a spell under house arrest for Pistorius.

A state appeal against his acquittal on murder charges is due in November, so he may yet receive a more appropriate sentence.

 

[Shalimar]

I don't believe we will ever know the truth behind that media circus. The trial was flawed on so many levels.

 

[Ralphy1]

Ditto!

 

[Laurie]

He's got to be out in time to pick up his Oscar for his performance during the trial.

 

[Shalimar]

Perhaps Oscar will be overlooked, due to the incredible performances of counsel, in particular the Rasputinesque delight offered by the prosecutor/crown. Theatre of the absurd is alive and well.

 

[AZ Jim]

Yeah an accident. Uh huh...

 

[Butterfly]

Dame Warrigal, so the State can appeal an acquittal in Australia? Don't you have double jeopardy like we do in the US?

 

[Warrigal]

Butterfly, it's South Africa, not Australia and the legal system there is very different.
It was a judge only trial in the first place. She rejected the charge of murder and found him guilty of culpable homicide.
The prosecution is challenging her judgement on legal grounds.

 

[applecruncher]

Here's an article about why South Africa doesn't have juries:

http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-why-oscar-pistorius-wont-get-a-jury-trial-2014-4

 

[Butterfly]

Butterfly, it's South Africa, not Australia and the legal system there is very different.
It was a judge only trial in the first place. She rejected the charge of murder and found him guilty of culpable homicide.
The prosecution is challenging her judgement on legal grounds.

OOPS -- I knew it was South Africa -- part of my brain must have been absent when I posted.

I'll have to read up on the subject. It just seems so very odd for the state to be able to appeal an acquittal (or lesser finding of guilt). I worked for years as a paralegal in the area of criminal appeals, and just seems strange.