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July 6th, 2016 
Awake Goy 
nsnbc : South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to six years in prison for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. The judge did not impose the normally mandatory minimum 15 years in prison.
The six-year sentence came after his initial five-year conviction for manslaughter that was changed to murder in December 2015 on appeal. Oscar Pistorius was taken to jail immediately after the Court convicted him of murder and sentenced him to six years.
The last chapter in the case may, however, not yet have been written. Both the prosecution and the defense can appeal the sentence. Pistorius lawyers, however, already said they would not appeal.
In a one hour-long session judge Thokozile Masipa explained that mitigating circumstances, such as remorse and rehabilitation, outweighted aggravating factors for deviating from the prescribed 15-year sentence. The decision adds further controversy to the case and begs several questions.
For one, experts in law and common people alike speculate whether “celebrity status” was a factor in the ruling that many consider as “a slap over the wrist” considering that Pistorius was found guilty of homicide. The sentence for murder is merely one year longer than the initial sentence for manslaughter.
Another question that is being asked is whether a very emotional interview with Pistorius that was broadcast in June may have manipulated the public and influenced the judge.
The 29-year-old Oscar Pistorius shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp through a locked toilet door in February 2013. Pistorius admitted shooting her but insisted that he had mistaken her for an intruder. Pistorius claimed that he discharged his gun out of fear.
F/AK – nsnbc 06.07.2016
Source Article from http://nsnbc.me/2016/07/06/oscar-pistorius-sentenced-to-six-years-for-murdering-reeva-steenkamp/
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