The Oscar Pistorus verdict is in. Details from ESPN:
Oscar Pistorius was taken away in a police van Tuesday to start serving a five-year prison sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
A South African judge cited the “gross negligence” the Olympic runner showed when he shot Steenkamp multiple times through a toilet cubicle door in his home when she delivered the sentence. Pistorius’ prison term begins immediately.
Pistorius could be released after 10 months in jail to serve the remainder under house arrest, according to legal experts.
And he will begin serving his sentence immediately:
Oscar #Pistorius pictured in police van on his way to prison http://t.co/ptYBZToOzp pic.twitter.com/HbLnUAgbEf
— Claire Phipps (@Claire_Phipps) October 21, 2014
There is much anger on Twitter that his sentence was way too lenient, however, given the crime:
Women's violence charity says Oscar Pistorius's sentence is 'worryingly short' http://t.co/NNyM9Db1Q7 pic.twitter.com/IbgQWklXkh
— The Independent (@Independent) October 21, 2014
@Independent : I agree with them – its way too short. I feel for Reeva's family.
— Susan Taylor?️? ??? #NoJobsOnADeadPlanet (@suzlette333) October 21, 2014
@Independent especially if he's released after 10 months
— Karen Wilson (@kazziefwil) October 21, 2014
@SkyNews what a joke
— danny&jessica (@dannyjessica1) October 21, 2014
@SkyNews he killed her for god sake he didn't steal her car! 5 years utter joke #Pistoriustrial #coldbloodedmurderee
— victoria barnett (@f1totty) October 21, 2014
@SkyNews min 8 months and max 5 yrs 🙁
— Bjorn Steinbach (@Bjornsteinbach) October 21, 2014
@SkyNews You will find that is only 10 months inside prison the rest he can do gardening and playing in his Xbox.
— Brian Myrie (@BrianMyrieSalsa) October 21, 2014
And as Twtichy reported previously, there is still a lot of sentiment from Tweeters out there that Pistorius benefited from being rich and white. First in beating the murder rap, and now with his sentence:
https://twitter.com/lex_looper/status/524509995787096065
https://twitter.com/NotAllBhas/status/524505768004161536
Frankly Im shocked Pistorius is going to prison albeit for 8mths. Our courts have been very lenient on white killers.
— Pinky Khoabane (@pinkykhoabane) October 21, 2014
https://twitter.com/NotAllBhas/status/524502655230808064
Black Mandela 27 years for campaign on human rights , rich white celebrity pistorius 10 mths for slaughtering defenceless woman #SAjustice
— kevin hughes (@kevhug8118) October 21, 2014
https://twitter.com/JamieHowardHaha/status/524488948006285312
5 years for the murderer Pistorius – how many more examples of white male privilege can we endure – men get away with murder and rape #weep
— Raging Feminist Granny (@BarbaraMHughes) October 21, 2014
To some people, it’s still always about race.
Related:
Is judge being lenient on Oscar Pistorius because he is white?
Breaking: Judge finds Oscar Pistorius not guilty of premeditated murder
Judge in Oscar Pistorius case takes lunch break in middle of delivering verdict