After a months-long trial, Oscar Pistorius is heading to jail. On Tuesday, the double-amputee was sentenced to five years in prison for shooting and killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. The BBC reports that Pistorius , who was cheered on at the London Olympics back in 2012, wiped his eyes after the judge handed down his sentence, but otherwise showed “little reaction” as he was led away by courtroom officers.
Shortly after Pistorius was sentenced, real estate mogul Donald Trump took to Twitter to slam the judge, calling her “a moron” in “another O.J. travesty.” Oscar’s brother, Carl Pistorius, quickly tweeted back to Trump, calling him out on his “self righteousness.”
Buddy, your self righteousness or money wont save you @realDonaldTrump – time to consider eternity.
— Carl Pistorius (@carlpistorius) October 21, 2014
Judge Thokozile Masipa’s sentence was half of the 10-year sentence that prosecution had argued for. Pistorius’ lawyers had pushed for house arrest and community service instead of jail time, but the judge, who stated that “the loss of life cannot be reversed” decided Oscar should serve time for his wrongdoing.
“The loss of life cannot be reversed. Nothing I say or do today can reverse what happened on February 14, 2013 to the deceased and to her family. Hopefully, this judgment on sentence shall provide some sort of closure for the family and all concerned so that they can move on with their lives.”
Steenkamp’s family lawyer, Dup De Bruyn told Reuters that “justice was served” in the Pistorious case . CNN reports that Oscar Pistorius may be let out of jail in as soon as 10 months. South African law states one-sixth of the sentence must be served before parole is considered.
Nicknamed the “ Blade Runner ” because of his prosthetic legs, Pistorius was also given a three-year sentence on a separate firearms charge, one he will not have to serve time for. The sentence was suspended for five years unless he is found guilty of another crime involving a firearm.
Together in Christ we are STRONG, in Christ there can never be defeat. #livewitheternityinmind pic.twitter.com/IBLxvM9701 — Carl Pistorius (@carlpistorius) October 21, 2014
Arnold Pistorius, Oscar’s uncle, told The Daily Mail that his family accepts the judgement and “Oscar will embrace the opportunity to pay back to society” and would not appeal the sentence.
[Image: The Daily Mail ]