In an ironic twist, it's now the judge presiding over the Oscar Pistorius murder case who is now on trial in the court of public opinion. Because of that, she is under police protection.
The English newspaper, The Telegraph, reported Tuesday that a tactical response team from South Africa's police service, is under orders to check in with 66-year-old Judge Thokozile Masipa and to escort her on all outings.
Masipa has been the target of a barrage of personal attacks since ruling Pistorius innocent of murder in the Valentine's Day, 2013 shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Masipa instead found Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide, which carries a sentence anywhere from a fine and a suspended sentence to 15 years in prison.
Masipa has set Oct. 13 as the date for Pistorius' sentencing.
Oscar Pistorius plans a tell-all book about Reeva Steenkamp on the night he shot and killed her
According to CBS News, legal experts have cited five years in prison as a guideline for the Pistorius case.
A media monitoring firm, ROi of Africa, has conducted a survey that found that 80 percent of all social media posts regarding Masipa have been negative in tone during the two days in which she delieverd her verdict, the Telegraph reported.
One image, which local media reports stated as circulating on social media in South Africa, shows a group of children armed with long knives, with a caption saying that they would be waiting for Masipa at her home to discuss the case.
Some legal firms are rushing to her defense in response to the threats against Masipa.
"People may disagree with the judgment. However, attacking and threatening Judge Masipa because she is black or because she is female is simply unacceptable," read a joint statement by three legal organizations.
"Some of the remarks may even border on hate speech, defamation and contempt of court."
The Telegraph added that the National Prosecution Authority may look to appeal Masipa's ruling after she sentences Pistorius.
Do you think criticism of Judge Thokozile Masipa's verdict regarding Oscar Pistorius deserves criticism? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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