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Judge Thokozile Masipa's decision to convict Oscar Pistorius of the
South African equivalent of manslaughter has provoked outrage among
those who think he has literally got away with murder.
She decided that he did not intend to kill his girlfriend Reeva
Steenkamp when firing four shots through the door of his bathroom on
Valentine's Day last year and was therefore guilty of the lesser
charge of culpable homicide.
This means the disgraced Paralympian no longer faces the possibility
of life in jail with 25 years without parole – the sentence for
premeditated murder.
Judge Masipa also acquitted him of what is known elsewhere in the
world as second-degree murder – which would have meant at least 15
years behind bars (unless the defence had provided "substantial and
compelling" reasons why he should not serve it).
The verdict of culpable homicide leaves the judge with a wide range of
possible sentences.
It does not carry a minimum jail term, but she can still put him
behind bars – or pass, for example, a suspended prison sentence.
Other punishments include correctional supervision (including house
arrest), a fine, or a combination of these options.
Pistorius also faces sentence for illegally discharging a firearm in a
public place. This carries a potential fine as well.
Judge Masipa's perceived leniency prompted protests outside the court
and on the internet and led to her being given police protection.
However, in the recent sentencing of men convicted of violent crimes
against women she has been anything but lenient.
Last year, she sentenced a robber and serial rapist to 252 years in jail.
And in 2009, she sentenced a police officer to life in prison for
shooting his wife dead at a police station.
:: Watch a Sky special programme with all the developments as they
happen in Pretoria live from 8am on Tuesday on Sky News, Sky channel
501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 132 and Freesat
channel 202.
