Double-amputee track and field sprinter Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to 6 years in prison for the 2013 murder of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp.
The South African who rose to fame by making the 2012 Olympic team shot and killed Steenkamp inside his home in February of 2013, stating that he feared she was an intruder. Judge Thokozile Matilda Masipa handed down a significantly shorter sentence as Pistorius was facing a minimum of 15 years.
Masipa cited mitigating factors such as Pistorius’ remorse, first offender status, and high likelihood of rehabilitation. The high profile case has captivated the nation with issues like domestic violence brought to the forefront.
The judge was highly sympathetic to the fallen national hero stating:
He’s a fallen hero who has lost his career and is ruined financially. The worst is that having taken the life of a fellow human being in the manner that he did, he cannot be at peace.
Pistorius nor the family of Miss. Steenkamp reacted as the judge gave her ruling. Pistorius’ defense team will not appeal the ruling although they had pleaded for community service in lieu of prison last month.