"Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius shoots his girlfriend

[Jaywalker]

I agree to a certain extent that leaving the decision up to a bunch of randomers especially in such a high profile case can be a lottery but to quote the film 'Runaway Jury'... "The jury system was created so that a judge couldn't hang some kid just because he didn't like the look of him"

Convincing a bunch of people as opposed to one person is much harder. Plus the prosecution and defence can tailor their arguments to fit with the judges personal background, one that they will know very well compared to an anonymous jury.

Fair point, but that's why there are 2 assessors to assist the judge. They can actually override her on points of law.

 

[Touring Mars]

Guilty of culpable homicide...

 

[Liquid]

I don't speak legalese. What does "culpable" homicide mean, and how does it differ to manslaughter/second degree murder?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I don't speak legalese. What does "culpable" homicide mean, and how does it differ to manslaughter/second degree murder?

It's pretty much manslaughter - it's just the local name for it.

 

[Jaywalker]

I don't speak legalese. What does "culpable" homicide mean, and how does it differ to manslaughter/second degree murder?

"Culpable homicide" has been defined simply as "the unlawful negligent killing of a human being".

See here.

 

[Robin]

I guess we wait and see if it's a suspended sentence. If he walks free today I will be very surprised.

 

[Jaywalker]

I guess we wait and see if it's a suspended sentence. If he walks free today I will be very surprised.

There won't be sentencing today. His bail has been extended & they'll be back on the 13th of October for sentencing. Then the appeals, if any, will begin. Possibly still a long way to go...

 

[Diabolik_za]

The judgement is embarrassing and huge implications for trigger happy gun owners.

 

[Famine]

After the first chunk of the judge's comments yesterday I'm surprised to find out they haven't found Reeva Steenkamp guilty of criminal damage to Pistorius's bullets.

 

[2clicks]

After the first chunk of the judge's comments yesterday I'm surprised to find out they haven't found Reeva Steenkamp guilty of criminal damage to Pistorius's bullets.

If she was still alive, they might have well done that, considering the unpredictable laws in South Africa...

 

[Zenith]

Amazing, not even held accountable for the gross recklessness of shooting a gun at somebody through a door.

 

[TayeezSA]

Max sentence could be 15 years. There was a case similar to this where Culpable Homicide was the verdict, I'll check the name in my textbooks later.

 

[Jaywalker]

Sentence: 5 years jail time for culpable homicide & 3 years (Suspended for 5 years) for reckless discharge of a firearm. Sentences to run concurrently.

 

[TayeezSA]

Gerrie Nel will appeal though. Let's see how that pans out.

 

[Liquid]

Bet he'll be out in three.

 

[axletramp]

Great, now at least Sky News can stop banging on about it to justify the cost of sending a crew out to SA. Was he ever that famous to warrant this being reported every single day for months?

 

[zzz_pt]

5? That's suprising. I was expecting a longer sentence from a country with life imprisonment sentences. Is this normal in SA?

 

[Liquid]

The only person who got a 'life sentence' was Reena Steenkamp.

 

[zzz_pt]

The only person who got a 'life sentence' was Reena Steenkamp.

More like death sentence.

 

[Dotini]

Bet he'll be out in three.

With good behavior, he'll be out in 10 months.

5? That's suprising. I was expecting a longer sentence from a country with life imprisonment sentences. Is this normal in SA?

I suppose it's normal for white people with resources, but BBC's Dan Damon quipped it would normally be longer for blacks without resources.

Because the sentence was decided by a judge on unemotional legal grounds, there may be some sentiment in SA to go back to a jury system. Apparently there are those who believe he murdered her, and want vengeance.

 

[TayeezSA]

I study law in SA, I'll explain some facts later.

What a coincidence actually, I'm writing an exam just now about stuff like this lol

 

[Jaywalker]

With good behavior, he'll be out in 10 months.



I suppose it's normal for white people with resources, but BBC's Dan Damon quipped it would normally be longer for blacks without resources.

Because the sentence was decided by a judge on unemotional legal grounds, there may be some sentiment in SA to go back to a jury system. Apparently there are those who believe he murdered her, and want vengeance.

10 months is also what I've just heard a legal expert say.

The fact that you are white is far from being an advantage in SA these days. His money obviously helped him to afford the best legal counsel, yes.

 

[Liquid]

Out in 10 months for culpable homicide?

That really does put the laughter in manslaughter.

 

[Touring Mars]

Out in 10 months for culpable homicide

Holy bathroom doors, Batman...

 

[Wiegert]

It could be anywhere between 10 and 20 months from what I've read. Far more lenient than I expected, but he didn't walk at least.

If he is out before the end of next year, the 5 year ban from competing in IPC events (which won't be appealed) will ensure that any rumours of him returning to take part in the Rio games will never materialise. Not that I can see him returning to that level even without the ban. A culpable homicide conviction would pose more than a minor hindrance if he did wish to compete overseas again.

 

[Joel]

Out in 10 months for culpable homicide?

That really does put the laughter in manslaughter.

The worst part is that even with all his money, while he's in prison it'll still be taxpayers who have to foot the bill.

 

[mistersafeway]

It could be anywhere between 10 and 20 months from what I've read. Far more lenient than I expected, but he didn't walk at least.

If he is out before the end of next year, the 5 year ban from competing in IPC events (which won't be appealed) will ensure that any rumours of him returning to take part in the Rio games will never materialise. Not that I can see him returning to that level even without the ban. A culpable homicide conviction would pose more than a minor hindrance if he did wish to compete overseas again.

The worst part is that even with all his money, while he's in prison it'll still be taxpayers who have to foot the bill.

Intentional?

 

[Robin]

Speechless, 5 years with only likely 10 months served (probably segregated) and the rest chilling on the sofa under house arrest. I guess anything at this point is better than the community service he could have got away with.

 

[Grayfox]

He might even get a book deal out of this, knowing how celebrities get even more famous after going to jail for a crime they barely severed any time for.

 

[Jaywalker]

He might even get a book deal out of this, knowing how celebrities get even more famous after going to jail for a crime they barely severed any time for.

He's gonna have to. His running career & resulting sponsorships are over for good.