Judge Thokozile Masipa is in the minority in thinking that justice was served on Tuesday. Though hers is the only voice that counts.
Masipa ended a 7 1/2-month trial Tuesday when she sentenced Oscar Pistorius to a five-year prison sentence for culpable homicide in the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He could be released in as few as 10 months for good behavior, the BBC.com reported Tuesday.
Two faces of Oscar Pistorius presents a dilemma to Judge Thokozile Masipa in her sentencing hearing
According to the BBC.com reported that Masipa said she considered her sentence to be "fair and just, to both society and the accused."
"A non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message to the community," Masipa said during her ruling. "On the other hand, a long sentence would also not be appropriate either, as it would lack the element of mercy."
She added that Pistorius had made an "enormous contribution to society", in his charity work and in changing the public perception of disability.
But Masipa also wanted to send the proper message publicly.
"It would be a sad day for this country if an impression were to be created that there was one law for the poor and disadvantaged, and another for the rich and famous."
But does anyone truly believe that an anonymous poor person -- not being able to afford a high-profile lawyer -- would spend potentially only 10 months under the same circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Steenkamp?
Dup De Bruyn, a lawyer for Steenkamp's family, did say that he believed Pistorius would have to serve two years.
The BBC's Nomsa Maseko, outside court, says opinion there was divided on the sentence, with some saying it was too light, others that it was fair, the BBC.com reported.
No one said the sentence was too harsh.
The Women's League of South Africa's ruling African National Congress said it planned to appeal the sentence, even if the prosecution in the case said it was only considering an appeal.
"We're doing this not only for Reeva but for the millions of South African women who are killed at the hands of their partners, people who are supposed to protect them," said spokeswoman Khsuela Sangoni, according to the BBC.com.
"A five-year sentence like this sends a message to society that it is fine to commit such heinous crimes as femicide, and you will be able to get away with a slap on the wrist."
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