Sentencing process for Oscar Pistorius begins today

Warrigal

Warrigal

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Will he go to gaol or won't he?

Pretoria - Oscar Pistorius will – starting on Monday and for the rest of this week – run the last few laps in his race to stay out of jail, following the death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his hands.

The athlete will not face the maximum punishment as he was acquitted on the murder charge, but it is anyone’s guess what punishment will be meted out for culpable homicide.

In the case of murder, certain mandatory prescribed sentences apply, but in culpable homicide cases it is all at the discretion of the judge.

The “Blade Runner”, who turns 28 next month, will however, have to wait for at least a week or two before hearing whether he will get a custodial or non-custodial sentence.

It is expected that Judge Thokozile Masipa, due to the high profile nature of this case, will first prepare a written judgment regarding sentencing.

Sentencing procedures will start on Monday and are due to proceed for most of the week when the Gauteng Provincial Division of the High Court in Pretoria will hear the evidence of various witnesses.

The defence will first call its witnesses in mitigation of sentence – expected to include various experts, – before the prosecution calls its witnesses.

It is expected that Steenkamp’s mother June, will be among the witnesses to testify on the impact her daughter’s death had on the family.

After the conclusion of all the evidence, the defence will first deliver arguments to Judge Masipa on why Pistorius should receive a lenient punishment. This will be followed by the the prosecution, which will no doubt argue for a jail term.

More here: http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-cou...ce-to-stay-out-of-jail-1.1763925#.VDts-5ocT84
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This case is not as clear to me in regard to his guilt like it was with OJ, who I thought was 100% guilty...
 
He hasn't been found guilty of murder. The judge convicted him of culpable homicide (i.e. manslaughter) for which there is no mandatory sentence.
 

I heard a commentator this morning suggesting something less than 15 years (mandatory min for murder) say somewhere in the order of 5 to 10 years. Then I heard someone else pontificating that she might not gaol him at all.

Not knowing anything about the SA courts, I can't begin to guess.
 
He has been found guilty. I accept the verdict as just.

I would have convicted him of murder because even if he did think that there was an intruder behind the locked bathroom door, he still shot to kill. I know that in the US that isn't necessarily murder but IMO it is.
 
Dame Warrigal said:
He has been found guilty. I accept the verdict as just.

I would have convicted him of murder because even if he did think that there was an intruder behind the locked bathroom door, he still shot to kill. I know that in the US that isn't necessarily murder but IMO it is.
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I think it was murder, surely no sane person would think it was a burglar in the bathroom, without checking if the other person in your home was in there first! I hope to goodness he gets a long prison sentence, but there is speculation he with get a suspended sentence or a fine, which would be a complete travesty of justice, imo. The trial of Pistorius is ridiculous in that it has been so long, and even the sentencing is supposed to last a few days!:rolleyes: I bet the lawyers are making a fortune!
 
If Guilty,take his artificial legs away and let him sit in a wheelchair for 15 years.
But NOOOOOO thats cruel and unjust punishment.
 
I think he'll do some time. I'd say four years.
 

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