Finally Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to five(5)years imprisonment

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — Oscar Pistorius will spend his
first night behind bars tonight, after he was sentenced to
five years imprisonment for shooting and killing his
girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.

The Olympic athlete, dubbed the Blade Runner due to his

prosthetics, has to spend at least one-sixth of his sentence

behind bars before he become eligible for a sentence

conversion – meaning he could be placed under house

arrest in 10 months.

The judge also gave Pistorius a suspended sentence of

three years for a weapons charge.

Pistorius was led to the court's holding cells after court

adjourned, later scheduled to arrive at the Kgosi Mampuru II

Prison in Pretoria. Acting National Correctional Services

Commissioner Zach Modise assured the court last week

that Pistorius would be kept in the prison complex's

hospital section, to protect him from other prisoners – and

the possibility of an attack.

PHOTO: Oscar Pistorius, center, gestures after he was

sentenced in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Oct. 21, 2014.

Judge Thokozile Masipa kept the courtroom in suspense for

more than an hour today before announcing her sentence,

declaring that the sentence has to balance issues such as

retribution, restorative justice, rehabilitation and the interest

of society.

"A non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message

to the community. But a long sentence would also not be

appropriate, because it would lack mercy," she said.

Masipa rejected the defense's arguments that athlete’s

vulnerability made him unsuitable for prison, saying he has

demonstrated his ability to cope throughout his life.

"I heard witness after witness over-emphasizing the

accused's vulnerability," she said, adding that "Yes, the

accused is vulnerable, but he also has excellent coping

skills... He really saw himself as disabled [but] worked

hard....and became respected worldwide."

PHOTO: Oscar Pistorius, center, touches hands with family

members as he is led down to the cells of the court in

Pretoria, South Africa, Oct. 21, 2014.

She said Pistorius has had an enormous impact on society.

"He gave this time and money to charities... and changed

the public's perception of disabled people. This cannot be

ignored and ought to be put into perspective," said Masipa.

The defense has already indicated that it would not appeal

the sentence or conviction, while the state has 14 days to

indicate if it will file an appeal.

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Posted by Donatus Joshua at 04:25