South African athlete Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to six years in prison on Wednesday for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
Oscar Pistorius sentenced to six years in prison for murder
The Paralympic gold medallist was immediately taken to jail after the sentencing was pronounced.
The prosecution earlier asked for not less than 15-year jail term for the ‘bladerunner’ who was convicted of murder in December 2015.
The murder conviction was as a result of a successful appeal by the state for an earlier manslaughter verdict.
Pistorius served 9-months of the manslaughter charge. He is accused of having shot Reeva four times through a locked toilet door even though he has maintained throughout the trial that he thought it was an intruder behind the door.
In his last appearance in court, he sought to demonstrate his vulnerability by walking on his stumps in open court. The conviction may not necessarily end the long running trial because the defence team led by Barry Roux have leave to appeal today’s ruling.
Pistorius made history during the London 2012 Olympics by being the first amputee sprinter to run on prosthetics. He is a six-time paralympic gold medallist who had his legs amputated below the knees during childhood.
Timeline of the Pistorious trial
February 2013: His girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp murdered
March 2014: Trial starts
September 2014: Court rules that Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide
October 2014: Begins five-year sentence
October 2015: Transferred to house arrest
December 2015: Appeal court changes verdict to murder
July 2016: Sentenced to 6 years for murder