Celebs react to Oscar Pistorius' 6-year sentence

South Africans are less than impressed with Oscar Pistorius' "light" sentence for murder.




Paralympic gold medalist Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to six years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The athlete appeared in court on Wednesday to hear his fate.

The State had called on Judge Thokozile Masipa to hand down a minimum sentence of 15 years, while lawyers for the athlete argued for a non-custodial sentence.

Judge Masipa said she believed Oscar was remorseful for shooting Reeva on Valentine's Day in 2013.

He maintained throughout his trial that he shot her through his bathroom door after mistaking her for an intruder.

The Supreme Court of Appeal overturned Judge Masipa’s original culpable homicide conviction, changing it to murder in 2015. Oscar's case was sent back to Masipa for re-sentencing.

Judge Masipa said on Wednesday that a long-term sentence would not be in the interest of justice.

She stated that there had been an incorrect perception that Oscar had intentionally killed Reeva.

"There is not a shred of evidence placed before this court that supports such a perception," she was quoted as saying.

Judge Masipa added that there was also no evidence to suggest that Oscar was abusive towards Reeva.

She took a number of mitigating factors into account.

South Africans have slammed the judge for failing to hand down an appropriate sentence.

Local celebs also expressed their disappointment. 

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