Clubhouse Random Sports News

Oscar Pistorius Will Learn Fate Tuesday When Sentenced

Fresh Videos

By @MichaelTerrill

Oscar Pistorius

Getty Images

The trial of Paralympic gold medalist and Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius will soon come to an end when he is sentenced on Tuesday.

Pistorius was found not guilty of premeditated murder regarding the shooting death of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. However, South African judge Thokozile Masipa did declare him guilty of culpable homicide, which is the “the unlawful negligent killing of a human being,” according to the South Africa Supreme Court of Appeal. Basically, Pistorius was found guilty of killing Steenkamp without direct intent to do so through negligence.

In South Africa, a judge is given the power to determine the sentence in the case of culpable homicide. Typically, the sentence can be anywhere between a simple fine and probation to up to 15 years in prison. Pistorius could very well walk free on bail, especially since Masipa has already declared that as a realistic possibility in the decision process.

Defense attorney Barry Roux pleaded with the court to allow Pistorius to be let go because he has suffered enough in the last 18 months in which he has been on a trial.

“Whatever way you see it, the accused’s actions were in some way dominated by vulnerability and anxiety,” Roux said, according to CNN. “It’s a compromised person doing that.”

The argument is that Pistorius claimed that he believed Steenkamp was in another room when he shot what he thought to be an intruder in his bathroom. The reason the prosecutors do not buy it is because Pistorius shot through the door before checking the rest of the house to see where Steenkamp was. He essentially thought it best to shoot through the door and ask questions later. For that reason, some believe he had intention, even if the court does not see it that way.

Lead prosecutor Gerrie Nel has requested that Masipa sentence Pistorius to 10 years in prison. At this point, we will have to wait until Tuesday to find out for sure.

Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. 

Share Tweet
Trending Now on