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A very brief blog - because I want your opinion. What do you think about Oscar Pistorius getting 6 years in jail for murder? Is that enough? Were the mitigating circumstances so overwhelming? What sentence do you think would be fair?
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Thursday 07-Jul-16
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patrick said:
on Tuesday 23-Aug-16 09:33 AM
while the judgement looks very little for murder, one should keep in mind that there is a number of personal things that gets to the actual judgement. like the judge being in a bad mood or having a disability like in the current case. Although the law request Judges not to allow those things to affect thier decisions, humanity is humanity, they still play part.for me the judge is ready for anything even if it means the state appeals her successfully . the reality is that you cannot look at Oscar like ordinary people given his disabilities. An element of vulnerabilty is available and that worked a lot .
tersia said:
on Tuesday 23-Aug-16 08:10 AM
He took a life so a life's sentence should be fair. In the end it is what it is and why dwell on him when so many other murderers are walking around among us. As I always say the wheel turns - so he will get what he deserves.
Sally said:
on Tuesday 23-Aug-16 07:55 AM
No sentence will bring back Reeva. Nobody, accept Oscar really knows what happened that night so nobody can really make a decision or choice to say it is a good or bad sentence. I think that the thoughts and memory of that night that he needs to live with for the rest of his life is punishment enough.
tersia said:
on Monday 11-Jul-16 03:01 PM
To live with the thought that he killed the woman he loved for the rest of life is punishment enough. To me he showed remorse to what he did, maybe it was only an act but still every single day he has to wake up and know that he killed her. That is more of a punishment to me. My religion also taught me that whatever you do you will be punished for it so even if he did not even go to jail the Lord will punish him for it even if it was only an accident.
Marisa said:
on Monday 11-Jul-16 02:28 PM
he will have to live with it for the rest of his life, Reeva's parents have to keep wondering what really happend that night, and to know that the person who took their daughters life would be out in 6 years and be free and move on, they still have to live with the fact that they could not see their daughter again accept in a photo.
Johann said:
on Monday 11-Jul-16 12:03 PM
I think Oscar's sentence is very light but doubt it would be increased on appeal, if there is even an appeal by the State.
Lourien said:
on Monday 11-Jul-16 12:02 PM
To be honest would any amount of years in jail bring back a person or life that has been lost, the answer will stay no as no time can be turned back and nothing can be done, his life will go on. Its not about how many years he needs to stay in jail but its about justice that needs to be served, 6 years is not enough when you compare that to a life time with family, friends and loved ones that has been taken away. It is sad to see Reeva's life that has been taken and Oscar only has to give up 6 years of his.
Cornelie said:
on Monday 11-Jul-16 09:49 AM
He only knows what happened that night he must live with it for the rest of his life. No sentence will bring back Reeva.
Henrietta said:
on Monday 11-Jul-16 08:18 AM
Not enough years at all. I agree with Patrick, if you think you hear some sort of burglar in your house the first person you look for is your partner, I mean how selfish can you be to only think of yourself. Besides that even if the murder was a mistake I at least think he should sit for the minimum sentence. But again no amount of jail time will ever bring Reeva back. If I put myself in Reevas Family shoes and that was my child and her murdered gets only 6 years I would be livid.
Liesl said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 02:47 PM
When you listen to the hearts of people you hear the outburst of people as if Reeva was their daughter. One could argue that her voice was taken from her and she deserves to be heard albeit through the hearts of the general public and her legal team. There is an obvious team Reeva vs team Oscar when in fact there should not be. The facts seem lost in translation of human emotion.
One can understand that kind of outcry from Reeva's parents and loved ones as they are grief stricken and completely driven by emotion, understandably. They have been unable to start piecing their life together due to this long dragged out hearing. Once someone had buried a loved one you know that door is now closed and the next step is to take one day at a time going forward. In the madness of this trial the Steenkamps have been defrauded from that process and forced to be like nomads in that they have not had the opportunity to resolve their grief in peace and reach a form of understanding of how the loss has affected their lives and how to move forward from there. One can almost say they have had to stare at an open grave in the wake of a long winded trial, appeal and sentencing to close a very painful and unbearably devastating ordeal.
However one should not lose sight of the facts before you as rightly said by Judge Masipa "the fact that the accused thought it was an intruder does not make it less serious..." but in all fairness the punishment must be "...proportionate". The outcry is as if Oscar killed Reeva deliberately which was not the facts before the Court. Not one shred of evidence to support it. It is not about whether you like the man or not or whether you believe him or not, it's about the facts. Courts should only deal with the facts before them. This must be a very taxing task for any fair and impartial Judge to master especially in such a tragic story. But their position places a demand on their professionalism that justice should be meted out objectively without fear, and impartiality.
I can only imagine the trauma and difficulties the Steenkamps and Pistorius families have experienced respectively. Public opinion has been loud and hostile thus far with a lot of controversy about Judge Maspia's sentence but should not persist in this anymore. I really hope the world can now let this be the end of it so that the people directly impacted by this can try to work their lives out going forward without constant reminders pulling them back to the horrific night when Reeva was ripped out of their lives.
daria said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 02:26 PM
This whole Oscar matter has become so big and so many things have been said regarding this case. I think no sentencing is enough for taking a human life but at the end at least he is doing time and not getting away scot free.
Melissa P said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 12:57 PM
I don't believe that 6 years is enough. Although I believe that he has suffered enough through the entire process I don't think the 6 years is enough for taking a love. I can only image how I would have felt if it was my brother or sister getting murdered. Would 6 years be sufficient enough for me in those circumstances? Definitely NOT!
Prishani said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 11:46 AM
I think that 6 years is not a fair and just sentence, he took the life of a young vibrant lady who still had so much going for her, and so much to still accomplish, I dont think this what appropriately considered during his sentencing. It appears that he feels bad because of all that he has lost and that is what makes him upset, I think that this form of emotion was confused with him having actual remorse for what he has done. The key thing I picked up in the judgment is what Judge Masipa said about Oscar being unlikely to re-offend, yes, this is one of the key factors to take into account when determining the appropriate sentence to imprisonment along with rehabilitation, but surely there should also be an aspect of punishment that is considered for committing murder. Going to prison for a substantial amount of time should be that punishment. 6 years is definitely in my opinion not punishment enough.
Helen said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 11:36 AM
South African soupy on Oscar case will be successful all over the world it is like money making not ending story. The question is does Oscar has more money still to get away from the justice. 6 years is very little for what he did. He is the murderer and he is not paying at all in SA for the actions he did.
patrick said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 11:09 AM
6 years is fair. surely this is not a matter were she should have gone of minimum sentence. the state did not lead any evidence to show that it was pre planed .i think the state missed an opportunity to drive the point home here and they could have gotten minimum of 15 .they was never question or evidence to show or not to show oscar's first reaction after hearing the noise.
if am sleeping with a person and i hear some form of Buglar, the first person i will check is the person am sleeping with. my view is that if they had looked at this point and overkilled it, the judge would have not even had two minds about murder and.
Juliet said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 10:44 AM
The night before the sentencing I was watching the crime channel and watched a documentary about a murder in America committed by a young man in love with a teacher. The teacher asked him to murder her husband which he did. She got life imprisonment! She didn't even pull the trigger! She wasn't even present at the murder! She was punished for a sin of adultery and not murder and here we have a Clear case of murder and the murderer is allowed to hobble off. Pathetic. The technicality of the law has served injustice.
Jolene said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 10:16 AM
My prediction for Oscar was 6-7 years, Im not surprised at all, although I dont think it is enough. On the other hand, at least the state was successful with their appeal, imagine if they werent.
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 10:14 AM
I think it is incredibly hard to have an opinion on this without being criticised either way you go. The courts have a discretion and clearly it was utilised. It is a binding decision that will forever affect the criminal justice system.
I feel that there were substantial and compelling circumstances but I am not certain if she described what they were or if she had to. Yes he unlawfully and intentionally killed someone because he knew that his actions could have killed someone and he reconciled himself to the fact but the circumstances, emotions aside are really substantial and compelling. Judge Masipa made a mistake previously but besides that she is a well respected judge who in her other cases was more stern, I do feel she felt sincerity from Oscar and had a bit of a soft spot for him - especially if you read up on her other judgements. The fact is that we should respect her decision and if the state (not the public) is not happy with it then they should appeal it. I personally feel that he has suffered 3 years plus the next 6 years or 3 years until parole... as well as the rest of his life. He will never be the same again and that is punishment on its own. It is equally true that without money he could never have afforded such a brilliant team so by paying his team with everything he has, I almost feel like the result was justified? I just know I will get burned from that comment but it's my personal opinion and I probably would feel different if it directly affected me.
Zindy said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 09:53 AM
The hardest prison to escape is in your mind. He will have to live with it for the rest of his life. His reputation is destroyed. His words "Everyone has setbacks, I'm no different I happen to have no legs that's a fact" if he himself states that he is no different why does he get a lenient sentencing.....
Sinead said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 09:44 AM
Honestly I can't believe it... Like Jane said, celebrities get away with murder...
There are so many memes about this whole Oscar thing. He should have been sentenced a lot longer than 6 years in my opinion.
I saw a photo of one woman that killed her husband by mistake, also apologized, and got 12 years.
Zanell said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 09:21 AM
I must agree with Mark on this comment, money does really help in situations like this If Oscar was a disabled man from a poor background he would have served a sentence of 25 years. I think that a 6 years sentence is ridiculous however I do not that think that Oscar would ever kill anyone again and his life is already destroyed. It just really sad that Reeva had a law degree and that at the end of the day the justice system failed her.
Tamaryn said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 09:19 AM
It appeared as though Justice Masipa had been overtly sympathetic to Oscar from day one - and it was evident in her initial finding. Taking that into account I am not surprised by the sentence but do feel as though another judge would have come to a different, more hefty sentence, and rightly so.
Thabitha said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 09:10 AM
From the start I could tell that he is not going for long time and I was shocked to see him so calm because he was so emotionally during the trial but on the last day he was Oscar what can we say its life. I hope the family of Reeva will find peace in their hearts.
Melissa said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 09:04 AM
He deserves to sit, he killed someone and there is no excuse for what he did. You can't ever bring a life back, so I don't have any sympathy for him. He must actually sit for life.
Nikita said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 09:02 AM
I think what needs to be remembered is that although some people think his fame is what got him only 6 years, it is also this fame that is going to make it impossible for him to ever have a normal life after this. In my opinion he will be serving a life sentence in any case because nobody will ever forget this. The whole world will forever remember him as Oscar the murderer. When he dies the headlines will say Oscar the murderer dead. I think his legal team have done an excellent job. I hope that he will use the resources available to him in prison to better himself and to teach himself skills that will allow him to make a difference for the better when he eventually gets out.
Nina said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:58 AM
I do not believe that the mitigating circumstances were SO over-whelming for the Judge to impose a sentence of only 6 years, which is less than half of the prescribed minimum sentence. Although we would like to believe that Judges are objective in every sense, I do think that Judge Masipa struggled to stay completely objective in this case and thus the short sentence.
Brenda vd Bergh said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:57 AM
A man who fought to be treated equally to any abled bodied person? A man who wanted to compete with abled bodies so that no one saw him any different?
He murdered someone in cold blood and has now used his disability to get people to feel sorry for him and now suddenly he seeks sympathy from the world.
There is just too many unanswered questions regarding this case but in my opinion the 6 year sentenece is way too little of which he will probably only spend another year or so in prison and will then be released under house arrest once again. There is no justice in this case, although he will live with the criminal record for the rest of his life.
But, what is done is done, this will haunt him for the rest of his life and he will never be free from that.
Kaylee said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:55 AM
The whole Oscar/Reeva debacle is something I usually try avoid commenting on however I will share my view. At the end of the day I think that two young people lost their lives. At the end of the day, the sentence for me is of little substance. No sentence will ever bring back Reeva and Oscar will never be able to redeem himself and his life will never be the same. If we do however look at the sentence I was expecting 8-10 years to be honest. I am not sure whether the factors taken into consideration should allow a deference from the minimum sentence. I think its completely hypocritical that Oscar his entire life wanted to be treated like a "normal" person without a disability and then when it came down to his sentencing displayed his disability around court to get sympathy. Judge Masipa herself has a disability and the defense used that to get her sympathy (in my opinion). I think the State was also a little tactless but showing those photographs of Reeva, during sentencing. I think both sides were actually quite tactless. At the end of the day I feel sorry for both of them. Both have lost their lives and put their families through hell and back. The whole thing is just sad. Whether this case did any justice for our legal system, I am doubtful.
Joyce said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:53 AM
I think his case is not a culpable homicide case and that his killing was on purpose and I think 6 years in jail is not enough and is unfair for the deceased's family
Ashleigh said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:47 AM
I am extremely disappointed and feel extremely sad for Reeva's family. This sentencing is a joke. It makes me sick to think that we could get locked up for possibly the same amount of years for killing an intruder who firstly has to harm us before we are entitled to hurt them back "even though that intruder shouldn't be on our property in the first place" but Oscar gets away with murdering someone who he claimed to have "loved" and she was certainly unarmed and unable to protect herself!
Latoya said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:46 AM
My say about Oscar - I feel that this is very sad to say how must Reevas family live knowing their one and only baby is gone, he deserves a sentence to life. Just so scary that one can get away with murder and I think its very disgusting to take someone soul and only have 6 years is prison.
Tamzyn said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:43 AM
I think 6 years was too little for murder, especially when one takes into account that a much harsher sentence can, and has, been given to those who commit lesser crimes.I think what makes the situation worse is that he will not serve 6 years, as it is likely that we will get parole. However, looking at pictures of the prison - I think it'll be a long couple years for Oscar.
Lucretia said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:43 AM
I am disappointed with the outcome. I think Judge Masipa should not have handed down sentence, she called it wrong from day one. I honestly think he should have gotten the minimum sentence. I hope the state will appeal the 6 year sentence. When he was running, he fought to be treated the same as everyone else - now let him be.
Suzanne said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:40 AM
I don't think it is fair at al! Besides taking someone's life, he hurt so many people - her parents, family and friends. I think it is ridiculous that the same judge can make 2 major mistakes in one trial, the conviction and the sentence. I expected him to get at least 8 years - if it was my choice though, I would have given him the maximum sentence and deducted the time he already spent in jail.
Jessica M said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:37 AM
I must say I am very upset about the outcome of this. As a parent I don't think it is fair for someone to get such a light sentence for killing your child. I would of said 25 to life like every other person that kills someone. Why is he the exception? not fair and very disappointing.
Bianca said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:33 AM
The fact is that he murdered someone, six years is absolutely not enough and he will not even serve a full six years. If six years in prison is what a life is worth, I think that is an absolute disgrace. And yes, his life is ruined, he has lost his career, his integrity and the respect of many people but that does not justify a short prison term. I do believe that it could have been longer, perhaps ten years? I do however seriously doubt that the state will bring an appeal for the prison term and I have read a number of articles warning against the risks of the state appealing the sentence. My heart honestly goes out to the Steenkamps as I'm sure they expected a longer sentence. One victory for the state I suppose is that they successfully managed to get him convicted of murder, silver lining.
Jessica Apfel said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:32 AM
It was inevitable though. Judge Masipa herself has a disability and so she fell hook line and sinker for the 'vulnerability' of Oscar. He'll probably get parole in a few short years. Moreover, it is a display of the disparities within our judicial system. Imagine if there were a jury in this matter?
Clare said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:32 AM
To be totally honest I didn't know who Oscar was until all this happened. My opinion on this matter is, I DONT CARE, it just proves that if you are celebrity or rich you can get away with Murder, you took someone's, child, away from them and you get to walk free. There are a lot more case that are worse then this an that does not get so high publicity like this one did.
charlotte said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:30 AM
I personally think 6 years is too little. He should have at least got 10 years excluding the time he has already done for culpable homicide. Judge Masipa has just done it again, making a mockery of our justice system. What's new?.....
Brenda Du Toit said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:30 AM
My Opinion is that what he did was wrong he took an innocent persons life and he needs to get punished. But on the other hand money talks because he is an celebrity
there is an lot of people that have done the same as him but they got sentenced between 10 to 15 years in Jail for the same crime.
Daniella said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:29 AM
Six years is too little , even if he killed her by mistake he still killed her and he deserves a longer sentence.
Sarah said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:24 AM
I think if you took someone life you should be sentence a life time in jail.It is only fair.
Alexis said:
on Friday 08-Jul-16 08:21 AM
6 years is not enough. I see the father appealing same. You took somebody's life, you do not deserve a life.
Mark said:
on Thursday 07-Jul-16 08:15 PM
Money does a lot of talking!
Jane said:
on Thursday 07-Jul-16 07:36 PM
My opinion re Oscar is that people that are celebritys get away with murder!!!! His sentence to me says shame he has no legs!!!!
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
