Oscar Pistorius, Daegu 2011, photo by PhotoRun.net
PRETORIA (RSA): South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has received a prison sentence of 5 years for the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, inform AP and AFP. Judge Thokozile Masipa also sentenced Pistorius to three years in prison for unlawfully firing a gun in a restaurant. She ordered that this sentence be wholly suspended. Pistorius could be released after 10 months in jail to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. However he will not be allowed to compete in IPC events until the 5 years are completed. National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Nathi Mncube said that the prosecution had not yet decided whether they would appeal, saying, "We have 14 days to consider the law and we will (need to) be sure that the facts and law will allow us to appeal." Pistorius' sentence starts immediately.
(Editor's note: Everything about this drama, followed by millions around the world, is tragic. Oscar Pistorius was an amazingly touching story: a young man, without lower limbs, who could run like the wind. The celebrity pictures of Oscar and his late girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, added to the story.
Now that Mr. Pistorius has been sentenced, the coverage will hopefully lessen and the Steenkamps can hopefully find some peace. Mr. Pistorius may be the one still alive, but his life as a world class athlete, and Olympic hero, is over.)
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