Pistorius sentenced to 5 years in prison for killing girlfriend
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
PRETORIA, Oct 21 (AP): Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to five years in prison for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Judge Thokozile Masipa delivered the ruling on Tuesday after reviewing prosecution arguments for a tough sentence as well as the defense case for a more lenient punishment for the double-amputee Olympic runner.
Pistorius killed Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year, shooting her through a closed toilet door in his home. Pistorius testified that the shooting was an accident after mistaking his girlfriend for a nighttime intruder.
Masipa convicted him of culpable homicide, or negligent killing, but acquitted him of murder.