Olympian sprinter Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison this week after being convicted of culpable homicide, which roughly corresponds to a charge of manslaughter in the United States courts.
The judge who sentenced Pistorius spoke about why he is sending him to prison, rather than straight to house arrest.
“I am of the view that a non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message to the community,” Judge Thokozile Masipasaid, “but a long sentence would not be appropriate because it would lack the elements of mercy,”
Pistorius will be eligible to apply for house arrest in ten months.
Pistorius’ fellow Olympian Lolo Jones was hustling through an airport on her way to catch a flight when TMZ caught up to her and asked her opinion about Pistorius’ sentencing.
“I didn’t really stay up with much of the trial… It’s hard for me because I actually have a dad who was in prison for murder. He served a life sentence but got out early on good parole [sic], so I’m one of the most non-judgmental people on people who are struggling.
“I know on one end you have the [Steenkamp] family who’s suffering and then on the other you have Oscar, as well… It’s in God’s hands. For me as a Christian God’s my ultimate judge…I don’t know all the details, that’s why I can’t make a proper statement on it. You just have to keep the family in your prayers for sure because they lost their daughter, and you have to keep Oscar in your prayers to make sure that in prison he rehabs and has great counseling.”
Roses are red
Violets are glorious
Don't play hide and seek
With Oscar Pistorius
— SeanySean (@tweetseamus) October 25, 2014