PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 6: Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius holds the hand of a relative after sentencing at the High Court on July 6, 2016 at the High Court in Pretoria, South Africa. Pistorius was sentenced to six years in prison for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at their home in 2013. (Photo by Marco Longari – Pool/Getty Images)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 6: Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius holds the hand of a relative after sentencing at the High Court on July 6, 2016 at the High Court in Pretoria, South Africa. Pistorius was sentenced to six years in prison for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at their home in 2013. (Photo by Marco Longari – Pool/Getty Images)
The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein have decided that they will extend Oscar Pistorius’ jail sentence, for the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp back in February 2013.
The former Paralympic athlete was initially handed down a five-year sentence for culpable homicide, after a lengthy and gripping trial that captivated the world.
BREAKING #OscarPistorius sentenced changed to thirteen years and five months by Supreme Court of Appeal.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 24, 2017
Although two years later, Judge Thokozile Masipa sentenced him to serve six years in prison, at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. She upgraded his charge to murder, but The State’s prosecution team didn’t feel his sentence reflected the severity of his crime.
How long will Oscar Pistorius be in jail?
Following this appeal, Pistorius’ sentence has now officially been increased to 13 years, and five months behind bars. This was presided over by Justice Legoabe Willie Seriti.
Seriti was prepared to give Pistorius a 15-year term, but he had already taken into account time served since his charge was upgraded back in July 2016. Pistorius has also served time under house arrest.
The blade runner fired four shots through the bathroom door of his home in Pretoria, when he claimed that he believed an intruder had made his way into the bathroom. However, in a tragic turn of events, it was his long-term partner Reeva Steenkamp who was in there, shot dead on Valentine’s Day.
Will Oscar Pistorius appeal his sentence?
A famous part of OP’s defence has been that he feels incredibly vulnerable when not wearing his prosthetic legs. He’s always tried to explain his actions by saying he was panic stricken, and fearful for his life.
An appeal is expected from Barry Roux, the advocate representing Pistorius. However, with the SCA being one of the highest courts in the land, it’s not likely that their authority will be challenged successfully.
