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South Africa: Oscar Pistorius sentencing hearing begins
Oscar Pistorius listens as judge delivers verdict on Friday, Sept.12, 2014. PHOTO/Alon Skuy/AP
Oscar Pistorius returned to court Monday at the start of his sentencing hearing after he was convicted of culpable homicide in the killing of his girlfriend, with his lawyers appealing for leniency.
The double-amputee track star last month escaped a murder conviction in a verdict that shocked the country and fueled criticism of South Africa’s legal system.
Kicking off what is expected to be a lengthy sentencing process, the defence team is bringing mitigation arguments before Judge Thokozile Masipa in the High Court in Pretoria. The prosecution is expected to follow by arguing for aggravating circumstances.
The process is expected to last up to four days, with Masipa then likely adjourning court and announcing her sentencing decision at a later date.
Pistorius could face as much as 15 years in prison or could dodge a jail term altogether with a non-custodial sentence after being found guilty on the equivalent of a manslaughter charge, but not guilty of premeditated murder.
The court began by hearing defence witnesses testify on why Pistorius should not serve time behind bars. They argued that the country’s prisons are not suited for his disability and that the 2012 London Paralympics silver medallist is a first time offender.
Pistorius defence has expanded on their trial argument regarding his remorsefulness” in killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
In turn, the prosecution will call witnesses to testify on why he should serve the stiffest penalty, raising the issue of his history of negligence with firearms.
After the sentence is handed down, both the prosecution and defence can appeal, a legal process likely to drag out for years.
In September, Judge Masipa ruled the 27-year-old did not knowingly shoot to kill 29-year-old model and law graduate Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013. Pistorius admitted he fired four hollow point bullets through a locked toilet door in his upmarket Pretoria home, but said he believed he had been shooting at a burglar.
He is currently out on bail of ZAR 1 million rand (US$90,000). He has had to sell his house – the scene of the crime, to fund the cost of the trial, and has withdrawn from competitive sport since his arrest.
The trial which began on March 3 was broadcast live on television and radio, feeding insatiable local and international media interest.
Source: AFP