The same judge originally convicted him of manslaughter in 2014 after months of hearings, but a higher court reversed that to murder past year, leading to Wednesday’s sentencing.
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Judge Thokozile Masipa appeared to anticipate criticism of the sentence, which fell far short of the normally mandated 15 years for murder under South African law, declaring: “Our courts are courts of law, not courts of public opinion”.
According to reports, defense lawyers argued that Pistorius should be given a non-custodial sentence including anger management workshops and community service but Judge Masipa noted that “deterrence and retribution” were cause enough for a prison sentence.
Prosecutors have not said whether they will appeal for a longer sentence, but a spokesperson for the Pistorius family said the family accepted the sentence.
The 29-year-old’s lawyer, Barry Roux, was seen punching the air as the announcement was made – and the defence has confirmed they will not be appealing the sentence.
But justice has been served Wednesday after an appeal changed his charge to murder and he was sentenced to six years in prison.
In September of the same year, Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of homicide and was directed to start his 5-year sentence in prison by October.
Steenkamp, 29, died after Pistorius fired four gunshots into the closed bathroom door of his villa in an upscale Pretoria neighborhood in the early hours of February 14, 2013. He was to serve the remainder of his five-year term under house arrest at his uncle’s house in a wealthy suburb of the capital.
Wednesday’s sentence adds one year to the initial sentence and rejects the 15 years demanded by the public prosecution.
A spokeswoman for Pistorius’ family revealed that he will not appeal the six-year prison prison he was given.
Judge Thozokile Masipa told the packed courtroom in Pretoria that she felt the mitigating circumstances in the case outweighed the aggravating factors – and described Pistorius as a “fallen hero”.
During the sentencing hearing, Steenkamp’s father said it’s hard for him to forgive Pistorius. Pistorius steadfastly denies any intention to kill Steenkamp. He was born without fibula in both legs, which were amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old.
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“The law didn’t take its course”, Mr Masanabo said.
