Outrage after Oscar Pistorius sentenced to just six years prison
Anger and outrage has erupted around the world following the shock 6-year prison sentence given to Oscar Pistorius for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
In a South African Court overnight, the judge, who dubbed Pistorius as a ‘fallen hero’, said there were “substantial and compelling circumstances” as to why the former Paralympic athlete should not serve the 15-year minimum sentence for murder.
Following the sentencing, social media lit up with people taking to Twitter and Facebook to express their disgust and disbelief.
“If Pistorius was black & non-famous, he’d have got life imprisonment. Saved by celebrity status,” TV personality and well-known journalist Piers Morgan wrote.
“Pistorius sentence is a travesty. Violence against women must end. There are no ‘mitigating factors’,” wrote another.
The ‘blade runner’ shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria, South Africa after allegedly mistaking her for an intruder.
He was originally sentenced to 5 years behind bars after being convicted of manslaughter however his conviction was upgraded to murder in 2015.
Given time already served, Pistorius will be eligible for parole in just three years.
The state has 14 days to decide whether to appeal the sentence.
Legal experts outside court say sentence is “shocking”. They say Judge was “sympathetic” to #Pistorius. They tell me State should appeal.
— Pumza Fihlani (@Pumza_Fihlani) July 6, 2016
6 Years?
For murder?
What a joke. RIP Reeva. #pistorius pic.twitter.com/q5Nwd6qHpu— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 6, 2016
Murderers the world over will be looking to move to South Africa. 6 years! #Pistorius
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 6, 2016
That #Pistorius sentence is a disgrace. And the fact that he has so called ‘financial hardship’ is considered a penalty? who did he pay off?
— Dave Wright (@SoundsWright) July 6, 2016
