Public opinion may be loud and persistent, but it can play no role in the decision of the court.

After a three-and-a-half-year-long emotionally charged and highly publicised trial, dishonoured South African Paralympian, Oscar Pistorius, has been sentenced to six years in jail for the murder of his late girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius was charged with shooting and killing his girlfriend through a bathroom door on February 14, 2013 to the astonishment and fury of millions of his fans and onlookers throughout the globe. After the sentencing, the gold medalist was immediately led to the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility to begin his jail term.

Pistorius’ six-year sentence was delivered by Judge Thokozile Masipa of the North Gauteng High Court to the dissatisfaction and disappointment of many, who have taken to social media to vent. The reason being that Pistorius was convicted of murder – after the prosecuting team appealed an initial conviction of “culpable homicide” – which carries a minimum of 15 years in South Africa, and thus his sentence is considered light given the circumstances surrounding Steenkamp’s death.

However, Judge Masipa maintained that her judgment was based on certain factors which were highlighted during Pistorius’ trials, such as his attempts to save Steenkamp’s life, repeatedly apologising to her family and his latest display of vulnerability in court when he was made to walk on his stumps. Masipa explained that in light of said factors, and other facts presented in court, it would be unjust to hand Pistorius a longer sentence.

According to Masipa, “our courts are courts of law, not of public opinion,” and Pistorius who has already served a one-and-a-half year jail sentence for culpable homicide, is a “good candidate for full rehabilitation.”

The six-year sentence remains open to appeal from both the defending and prosecuting parties. The prosecuting party is able to appeal on the grounds that Pistorius’ sentence is too lenient, and Pistorius may stand by his story of the past three-and-a-half years that the murder was not intentional. However, the Pistorius team released a statement saying that he does not plan to appeal. He is eligible for parole in three years.

Pistorius’ brother took to Twitter with #Justice, claiming that “the record has been set straight…” On their part, Steenkamp’s devastated parents were mostly quiet throughout the sentencing. Her father Barry is reported to spend his nights smoking on his verandah and talking to his dead daughter.

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