Will Oscar Pistorius walk?
JOBURG- Oscar Pistorius' sentencing, which has been set for three days, begins this morning at the North Gauteng High Court.
In a judgement that has proved to be not popular with the public, Judge Thokozile Masipa found the paralympian guilty of culpable homicide for the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
The defence will give mitigating factors as to why Pistorius should not serve a jail term. Pistorius’ defence team is expected to highlight Pistorius’ disability, the remorse he showed throughout the trial and immediately after he had realised he had shot Steenkamp. The defence will also stress Pistorius’ contribution to people who are disabled.
The State is expected to focus on the aggravation factors of the case with a sharp focus on Pistorius’ love for guns, his temper and the reckless use of guns.
The defence and the State are expected to call witnesses to support their arguments.
Pistorius could get a maximum of 15 years in prison or a suspended sentence. Pistorius’ supporters will be holding their breath for Masipa to give him a suspended sentence, while the state and Steenkamp’s supporters will hope to see him behind bars for 15 years.
