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Judge sentences Oscar Pistorius to five years in prison

(CNN) — From a globally lauded athlete to convicted killer, Oscar Pistorius’ fall from grace culminated Tuesday with a five-year sentence in the sho...
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(CNN) — From a globally lauded athlete to convicted killer, Oscar Pistorius’ fall from grace culminated Tuesday with a five-year sentence in the shooting death of his girlfriend.

The sentence was imposed for the charge of culpable homicide, which in South Africa means a person was killed unintentionally, but unlawfully.

Under South African law, he will have to serve at least one-sixth of his sentence — 10 months — before he can ask to be considered for parole.

Pistorius was also given a three-year sentence on a firearms charge, but it was suspended for five years on condition he’s not found guilty of another crime where there’s negligence involving a firearm during that period.

That count related to an occasion when Pistorius discharged a handgun under a table in a busy restaurant. No one was hurt.

During his trial, the double-amputee sprinter often sobbed at the mention of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp’s name. He insisted that he mistook her for an intruder when he shot her through a toilet door on Valentine’s Day 2013.

But there was very little visible reaction from Pistorius as the sentence was read out.

Speaking to CNN’s Robyn Curnow in the last few weeks before his sentencing, Pistorius told her that he would respect and accept the decision of the court and that he was not afraid of imprisonment.

He said he hoped to contribute while in prison by teaching people how to read or start a gym or running club.

“Oscar will embrace this opportunity to pay back to society,” his uncle, Arnold Pistorius, told reporters. “As an uncle, I hope Oscar will start his own healing process as he walks down the path of restoration. As a family, we are ready to support and guide Oscar as he serves his sentence.”

There were no immediate reactions from Steenkamp’s family to the judge’s decision.

The prosecution had asked for a minimum prison sentence of 10 years for Pistorius.

After the ruling Tuesday, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority said it had not yet decided whether to appeal Judge Thokozile Masipa’s verdict that he is not guilty of murder.

Pistorius’ defense had called for a sentence of house arrest and community service.

There was no immediate reaction from the defense team on the sentencing.

Both sides now have a 14-day period in which they can choose to lodge any appeal, according to CNN legal analyst Kelly Phelps.

 

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